It may be because it is Friday. It may be because the sun is shining (for now). It may have been my summer CD I was playing in the car today. Whatever it is, I am in a good mood today. For me to be here at the office and be in a good mood is quite rare. I am usually very cheerful outside of this office or with select people here at the office, but normally I dread coming here. But today, for some reason, I am feeling on top of the world. I am sure I'll fall right off my mountain as soon as the first wave of work comes or someone does something to piss me off over here. I've been feeling great the past two weeks, both mentally and physically. I think it's been the change of weather and the intense running I've been doing. Both create a high for me that is hard to explain.
I was driving in this morning, playing my summer CD and thinking about the fun ahead in the next few months. I was thinking about the Saturdays on the beach, the Yankee games, the bbq's, the nights out and about in Long Beach, the parties, and everything else that is summer. I really can't wait!
Today I should be like the Bubble Boy and put plastic around my office so nobody can put me in a bad mood. I may have some saran wrap around here somewhere. Just a little bubble, where I can enjoy my good mood without anyone ruining it. Although around here, I could armor my office and stress and grief would still find a way penetrate it, so I suppose saran wrap won't do the trick. Just don't be the one to piss me off and "burst my bubble" today! :)
Friday, April 22, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Products and Technology In Our Lifetime
Think of all the technology and products that have been made available to the public since we were born. There are so many things that have either been invented or made available to the common person in our lifetime. We have so many things around us daily that we take for granted that weren't even available to the average person, and in some cases, to anyone, back when we were kids 20 years ago. I thought of a quick list of some of the things that are so common now that we probably take for granted:
The Internet: We just log on daily without even thinking. We blog away, e-mail, and do most of our daily functions online. Can you even remember life without it?
The Microwave Oven: Although this was invented a long time ago, the microwave oven became commonplace in the 1980's. I do remember being a small child before the microwave. Heating things up took forever! TV dinners took like an hour in the oven!
The VCR: Another 1980's boom. Before the VCR, if you were out and missed your show, tough luck! The VCR made it easier to catch up on your shows and to see movies you missed at the theaters.
Cell Phones: This tehnology was around during the Vietnam War, but not really made very available to the average person until the mid 90's. Ten year olds walk around with these now. We've come a long way with these just in the past 10 years.
CD/CD Player: I clearly remember the cassette tape and the vinyl album. Both were cool, but the first time I heard a CD, I was hooked. The quality was amazing.
IPOD: Personal electronics at it's finest. The idea of carrying 10,000 songs with you still blows my mind.
Digital Camera: Taking pictures without fumbling for film or heading to the local drug store to have the film developed. How cool is this?
Camcorder: Another 1980's big hit. The average family was able to catch some memorable moments on tape and just pop it into your VCR for viewing right after. This was exciting when it first was affordable to the average Joe.
Cable TV/Satellite TV: Where would we be without this? MTV put many artists on the map, movies, cooking channels, home improvements, nature, you name it, there's a channel for everyone.
Walkman: This started the personal electronic gadget craze. Back in the early 80's you were cutting edge if you paraded around with one of these.
ATM Machine: No more waiting on lines at the bank to withdraw $40.00! How did we survive before these? I don't think I've physically been in my bank in over two years.
Calculator: This was more a mid to late 70's deal. They were downright expensive when they first came out. Now you can get one for $5.
Fax Machine: Before e-mail, the internet, and the scanner, faxes were the shit. I was fascinated by the fax when they first came out. That an image of a document could be transmitted through wires to someone else.....wow. Now it's like whatever.
UPC Barcode Scanners: Remember stores before the scanners? They would hand ring everything. If something did not have a price sticker on it, they would call for a price and the line would never move.
DVD: The VCR on a whole new level. Who does not love the DVD???
All these things became mainstream in our lifetime. Not a bad time to be alive, huh? I wonder what things we'll be adding to the list 20 years from now that have not even been thought of yet. I couldn't picture life without any of these today. Did I miss any good ones?
The Internet: We just log on daily without even thinking. We blog away, e-mail, and do most of our daily functions online. Can you even remember life without it?
The Microwave Oven: Although this was invented a long time ago, the microwave oven became commonplace in the 1980's. I do remember being a small child before the microwave. Heating things up took forever! TV dinners took like an hour in the oven!
The VCR: Another 1980's boom. Before the VCR, if you were out and missed your show, tough luck! The VCR made it easier to catch up on your shows and to see movies you missed at the theaters.
Cell Phones: This tehnology was around during the Vietnam War, but not really made very available to the average person until the mid 90's. Ten year olds walk around with these now. We've come a long way with these just in the past 10 years.
CD/CD Player: I clearly remember the cassette tape and the vinyl album. Both were cool, but the first time I heard a CD, I was hooked. The quality was amazing.
IPOD: Personal electronics at it's finest. The idea of carrying 10,000 songs with you still blows my mind.
Digital Camera: Taking pictures without fumbling for film or heading to the local drug store to have the film developed. How cool is this?
Camcorder: Another 1980's big hit. The average family was able to catch some memorable moments on tape and just pop it into your VCR for viewing right after. This was exciting when it first was affordable to the average Joe.
Cable TV/Satellite TV: Where would we be without this? MTV put many artists on the map, movies, cooking channels, home improvements, nature, you name it, there's a channel for everyone.
Walkman: This started the personal electronic gadget craze. Back in the early 80's you were cutting edge if you paraded around with one of these.
ATM Machine: No more waiting on lines at the bank to withdraw $40.00! How did we survive before these? I don't think I've physically been in my bank in over two years.
Calculator: This was more a mid to late 70's deal. They were downright expensive when they first came out. Now you can get one for $5.
Fax Machine: Before e-mail, the internet, and the scanner, faxes were the shit. I was fascinated by the fax when they first came out. That an image of a document could be transmitted through wires to someone else.....wow. Now it's like whatever.
UPC Barcode Scanners: Remember stores before the scanners? They would hand ring everything. If something did not have a price sticker on it, they would call for a price and the line would never move.
DVD: The VCR on a whole new level. Who does not love the DVD???
All these things became mainstream in our lifetime. Not a bad time to be alive, huh? I wonder what things we'll be adding to the list 20 years from now that have not even been thought of yet. I couldn't picture life without any of these today. Did I miss any good ones?
Personality Test
Thanks Liz, for the link...here are my results....
According to the test, I just want to be neat, eat, get laid, and romance women....sounds good to me!
Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com
Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were high which suggests you are overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense too often of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun.
Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.
Trait Snapshot:
clean, self revealing, open, organized, outgoing, social, enjoys leadership and managing others, dominant, makes friends easily, does not like to be alone, assertive, hard working, finisher, optimistic, positive, likes to stand out, likes large parties, respects authority, practical, high self esteem, perfectionist, dislikes chaos, busy, not familiar with the dark side of life, controlling, high self control, traditional, tough, likes to fit in, conforming, brutally honest, takes precautions
According to the test, I just want to be neat, eat, get laid, and romance women....sounds good to me!
| Advanced Global Personality Test Results
|
personality tests by similarminds.com
Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were high which suggests you are overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense too often of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun.
Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.
Trait Snapshot:
clean, self revealing, open, organized, outgoing, social, enjoys leadership and managing others, dominant, makes friends easily, does not like to be alone, assertive, hard working, finisher, optimistic, positive, likes to stand out, likes large parties, respects authority, practical, high self esteem, perfectionist, dislikes chaos, busy, not familiar with the dark side of life, controlling, high self control, traditional, tough, likes to fit in, conforming, brutally honest, takes precautions
Now Batting......
If you are into Major League Baseball, you know that in almost every stadium now, players get to choose what song plays over the stadium PA while their name is announced and they step up to the plate. I was thinking of some songs I'd want playing as they announce, "Now batting....first baseman, #23, Charlie Mc".......
1) "Blow It Out Your Ass" Ludacris
2) "Heartache Tonight" The Eagles
3) "Lose Yourself" Eminem
4) "Move Bitch (Get out Da' Way) Ludacris
5) "Freak A Leek" Petey Pablo
6) "Me Against The World" Tupac
7) "Eye of the Tiger" Survivor
8) "Juicy" Notorious BIG
9) "The Message" Grandmaster Flash
10)"Run to the Hills" Iron Maiden
How about you guys?
I know Sugar V would have "It's Raining Men" or some Neil Diamond Song.....
1) "Blow It Out Your Ass" Ludacris
2) "Heartache Tonight" The Eagles
3) "Lose Yourself" Eminem
4) "Move Bitch (Get out Da' Way) Ludacris
5) "Freak A Leek" Petey Pablo
6) "Me Against The World" Tupac
7) "Eye of the Tiger" Survivor
8) "Juicy" Notorious BIG
9) "The Message" Grandmaster Flash
10)"Run to the Hills" Iron Maiden
How about you guys?
I know Sugar V would have "It's Raining Men" or some Neil Diamond Song.....
$205 Million
I am not a lottery player. The only thing I really gamble on is football during the fall and winter and that's not really for any big stakes. I am not a person who is obsessed with money by any means. I think people place too much emphasis on money and "things" that they have. Money surely can't buy health or happiness....but it can help you do things you couldn't do without it. The NYS Mega Millions jackpot is $205 million dollars tomorrow. I may just play for the hell of it. I am sure I won't win, but I was just thinking about what I would do with all that money......
1) Buy a nice house (nothing crazy, just something nice)
2) Buy houses for my parents and brother
3) Pay off all my family member's and close friends' bills
4) Buy a couple of cars for myself (nothing crazy like a Ferrari)
5) QUIT THIS JOB
6) Do some traveling
7) Go back to school and become a radio DJ, even if it's for like 18k a year overnight somewhere in some hick state.
8) I would seek out families in need that have medical bills, or other financial struggles, and help them out.
9) Invest a good portion of it
10) Buy lots of things for the people I care about
I really would not want $205 million dollars, maybe just $2 million. Money is short term happiness. It can't get you well if you have a disease with no cure, it can't make you genuinely happy if you aren't, it can't bring back a loved one that has passed on, it can't make someone you love, love you back if they don't feel it too, and it can't erase everything that's happened to you in your life. All it can do is allow you to have things you couldn't maybe have without it. That's not real happiness though.
1) Buy a nice house (nothing crazy, just something nice)
2) Buy houses for my parents and brother
3) Pay off all my family member's and close friends' bills
4) Buy a couple of cars for myself (nothing crazy like a Ferrari)
5) QUIT THIS JOB
6) Do some traveling
7) Go back to school and become a radio DJ, even if it's for like 18k a year overnight somewhere in some hick state.
8) I would seek out families in need that have medical bills, or other financial struggles, and help them out.
9) Invest a good portion of it
10) Buy lots of things for the people I care about
I really would not want $205 million dollars, maybe just $2 million. Money is short term happiness. It can't get you well if you have a disease with no cure, it can't make you genuinely happy if you aren't, it can't bring back a loved one that has passed on, it can't make someone you love, love you back if they don't feel it too, and it can't erase everything that's happened to you in your life. All it can do is allow you to have things you couldn't maybe have without it. That's not real happiness though.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Flintstones, Meet the Flintstones....
How Did They All Fit In Here?
I would have to say that The Flintstones was my favorite cartoon growing up. I always loved watching them and I knew like every episode. There were a few things about them that I still wonder about until this very day:
1) How did that 80lb waitress carry and throw that HUGE rib that was heavy enough to flip their car with ALL of them in it?
2) Did they ever eat the rib?
3) At the end of the show, Fred locks the cat outside, the cat climbs through the window (hole in the side of the cave) and grabs Fred and tosses him out. Fred then proceeds to yell and cry like a bitch for Wilma to let him in. Why doesn't he just climb through the window?
4) When they got on the bus, it was just everyone holding up the sides of the bus and using their feet at a slow pace to move it, why not just walk? You'd be doing the same thing without having to lug that big ass stone bus.
5) How did they all cram into one car? (see picture)
6) Why didn't they ever smack the shit out of those wise ass appliance animals? Like the mammoth shower, the bird record player, the fluffy bird feather duster, etc. They were all wise asses.
7) What exactly is hoppa-roo? Is he part kangaroo, what the fuck is he?
8) The Great Gazoo, he was one wacky fucker huh? Everything about him made me wonder.
9) Did Wilma have an eating disorder?
10) Why was Fred's and Barney's voice different in different episodes?
11) What possessed Barney to cross dress for those Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles commercials?
12) How is Bam Bam the offspring of Barney and Betty? Betty is a scrawny-ass bitch and Barney is a short pudgy wimp......maybe a cactus juiceman involved here?
Just some points to ponder about these wacky cave dwelling folks.
Mental vs. Physical Stress
On a daily basis we all deal with stress. Some of us have jobs that require lots of physical activity that is stressful on our bodies. Others deal with mental stress daily. Both kinds of stress are not good, but I would much rather deal with physical stress than mental stress.
At my current job, I work in front of a computer all day. A good deal of my work is on the phone with vendors and involves negotiation and lots of interaction. I also interact with the scientists here on site and procure the supplies and equipment they need to perform their daily work. The job is not that difficult and can be fun. The mental stress of the politics, games, and other office bullshit is what wears me down mentally each day. I find that takes more of a toll on me than anything physical I do or have done in the past.
In the past I've worked jobs where I've been on my feet for 12-18 hour days, lifting, and using physical strength. I go home more tired from the mental stress here than I ever did working physically. I think mental stress takes more of a toll on me than anything. I can run 10 miles, lift, work physically and it never bothers me. Dealing with people's shenanigans, office politics, and things like that absolutely wears me out after a while.
I think I am mentally strong. I've dealt with my share both at work and in my personal life, as have all of you. I definitely can take a great deal of mental stress, but I definitely have to say, it wears me down and takes its toll more than anything physically. It's fascinating how different people deal with each kind of stress. Some people snap, or crack under the pressure, some people seek therapy to talk things out, some people keep things to themselves, etc. That show "Fear Factor" (as stupid as it is) is a good example. Some people excel at the physical stuff, but when it comes to the mental stuff they psych themselves out or vice versa.
What are you better able to deal with, physical or mental stress?
At my current job, I work in front of a computer all day. A good deal of my work is on the phone with vendors and involves negotiation and lots of interaction. I also interact with the scientists here on site and procure the supplies and equipment they need to perform their daily work. The job is not that difficult and can be fun. The mental stress of the politics, games, and other office bullshit is what wears me down mentally each day. I find that takes more of a toll on me than anything physical I do or have done in the past.
In the past I've worked jobs where I've been on my feet for 12-18 hour days, lifting, and using physical strength. I go home more tired from the mental stress here than I ever did working physically. I think mental stress takes more of a toll on me than anything. I can run 10 miles, lift, work physically and it never bothers me. Dealing with people's shenanigans, office politics, and things like that absolutely wears me out after a while.
I think I am mentally strong. I've dealt with my share both at work and in my personal life, as have all of you. I definitely can take a great deal of mental stress, but I definitely have to say, it wears me down and takes its toll more than anything physically. It's fascinating how different people deal with each kind of stress. Some people snap, or crack under the pressure, some people seek therapy to talk things out, some people keep things to themselves, etc. That show "Fear Factor" (as stupid as it is) is a good example. Some people excel at the physical stuff, but when it comes to the mental stuff they psych themselves out or vice versa.
What are you better able to deal with, physical or mental stress?
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Piggie Smalls and His Biotch
Heavy Hitter.....Suckaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Yes indeed, Piggie Smalls has found a woman. It did not take him long to find money, women, and booze. He bought himself a slick stocking cap, some booze, and a little "FITTY CENT" music. We just need to name his woman. Piggy Elliot? Piggy J. Blige? Me and Piggie Smalls are open for suggestions. Piggie Smalls endorses safe sex, he wants no baby's Momma Drama. So all you young boys out there, cover up! Piggie's livin' da' thug life here in da' LBC. Piggie Smalls is a hustla by day and a P-I-M-P by night. If only we could all live his lifestyle.....
Piggie, Piggie, Piggie...can't you see..........
That SUCKED!
All day at work my little weather meter on the left said calm winds, or at most, 5MPH winds. Of course, by the time I got off work and changed into my running clothes and headed down the block to the beach/boardwalk to run, the winds were at 22MPH. Not just a regular 22MPH wind from ONE direction where you can at least get one half of the run in with the wind at your back. NOPE. This wind was a SWIRLING 22MPH wind that was in my face the entire run. That 7 miles felt like 17! I am wiped out...off to shower. A green pig update forthcoming...........
Advice
Why is it that we can give such great advice to our friends and loved ones, but when when WE are faced with these same situations we can't take our own advice? Is it because it's easy to give advice when you are not mentally or emotionally attached to a situation, person, or event? That must be it. I am a master at giving sound, logical advice. But, when it comes to my situations, I can't follow what I know is the right thing because emotions cloud my judgments sometimes. Is this normal for everyone, or am I just messed up?
I enjoy giving advice. Sure, I am relatively young and have a ton to learn yet, but the advantage I think I have in the advice department is my experience with people. I was managing people in the business world at age 18. I managed people from all walks of life, all races, religions, ages, and personal situations. I listened to and learned from these people. I realized when I was younger that people have different strengths and weaknesses and that there is good in everyone. I may be still naive in the sense that I will always look for and focus on the good in a person. Sure, I see the bad stuff too, but it's the glimmer of good, even in a "bad" person that fascinates me. I really think there is good in all of us, genuine good. I think this goodness gets hidden or supressed by events in someone's life. It's still there, just not shown as much as it probably should be. I am a pretty good judge of someone's character. Sure, I've been wrong. We all get first impressions of people we think are assholes that turn out to be great. We also get first impressions of people and think they are amazing until we scratch below the surface. Occasionally, the radar goes off-line. But, more times than not, I am pretty good at it.
Do you feel confident or comfortable giving a close friend advice? Do you ever fear he/she will take that advice and it will turn out to be wrong? Personally, I listen to advice, analyze it, but I ALMOST always follow my heart or my gut instinct. Sometimes I am right, sometimes I wish I had listened to someone else....all part of the voyage we know as life.
I used to follow my heart, not my brain. Now I try to be more logical and my logic supersedes my heart. I don't like it. I think when I used to follow my heart, I had better results. I guess it's the fear of being hurt, rejected, or something else that's bad that makes me this way now. If I followed my heart, I'd be making different choices than I have been lately.
Love to hear your opinions on advice and on following your heart or logic.....
I enjoy giving advice. Sure, I am relatively young and have a ton to learn yet, but the advantage I think I have in the advice department is my experience with people. I was managing people in the business world at age 18. I managed people from all walks of life, all races, religions, ages, and personal situations. I listened to and learned from these people. I realized when I was younger that people have different strengths and weaknesses and that there is good in everyone. I may be still naive in the sense that I will always look for and focus on the good in a person. Sure, I see the bad stuff too, but it's the glimmer of good, even in a "bad" person that fascinates me. I really think there is good in all of us, genuine good. I think this goodness gets hidden or supressed by events in someone's life. It's still there, just not shown as much as it probably should be. I am a pretty good judge of someone's character. Sure, I've been wrong. We all get first impressions of people we think are assholes that turn out to be great. We also get first impressions of people and think they are amazing until we scratch below the surface. Occasionally, the radar goes off-line. But, more times than not, I am pretty good at it.
Do you feel confident or comfortable giving a close friend advice? Do you ever fear he/she will take that advice and it will turn out to be wrong? Personally, I listen to advice, analyze it, but I ALMOST always follow my heart or my gut instinct. Sometimes I am right, sometimes I wish I had listened to someone else....all part of the voyage we know as life.
I used to follow my heart, not my brain. Now I try to be more logical and my logic supersedes my heart. I don't like it. I think when I used to follow my heart, I had better results. I guess it's the fear of being hurt, rejected, or something else that's bad that makes me this way now. If I followed my heart, I'd be making different choices than I have been lately.
Love to hear your opinions on advice and on following your heart or logic.....
Monday, April 18, 2005
Just A Guy and His Green Pig
What's Up In Da' Hizzhouse Bitch?
I made a new friend today. A green pig walked into my life. It caught me off guard. I was working hard and it appeared out of nowhere. It claimed it needed a home, a place to rest it's weary head. I told it that it could stay in my office for as long as I am there. It told me that it likes booze, money, and bitches. It sleeps all day and parties all night. It is a welcome addition to a quiet and dull work existence. Tom Hanks had his Wilson, I have my little green pig.
"I Saw The Sign, and It Opened Up My Eyes"
Yeah, like this is going to work....
I mean really now, is this sign in the bathroom really going to make the six out of ten people who choose to not wash their hands after using the bathroom think about it? I'm sure this is going to stop them dead in their tracks and give them instant hygiene awareness. It's stupidity like this that I see daily that just cracks me up. Should we really require a sign to let people know that they SHOULD wash their hands after wiping their ass? If we need to post a sign.....I think that says it all.
The Songs We Hate
I am a HUGE music fan, as you all know. I was thinking about songs that annoy the shit out of me, songs that are the WORST of all time. Here are a few that I despise:
"The Macarena"
"I'm Too Sexy" Right said Fred
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" The Proclaimers
"Wannabe" The Spice Girls
"MMMMMBOP" Hanson
"Tennessee" Arrested Development
"Everything I Do, I Do It For You" Bryan Adams
"When I See You Smile" Bad English
"Material Girl" Madonna
"It's Raining Men" The Weather Girls (SUGAR v's Favorite)
"Cotton Eye Joe" (No Idea Who Sings This)
Ok, I want to hear yours.........
"The Macarena"
"I'm Too Sexy" Right said Fred
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" The Proclaimers
"Wannabe" The Spice Girls
"MMMMMBOP" Hanson
"Tennessee" Arrested Development
"Everything I Do, I Do It For You" Bryan Adams
"When I See You Smile" Bad English
"Material Girl" Madonna
"It's Raining Men" The Weather Girls (SUGAR v's Favorite)
"Cotton Eye Joe" (No Idea Who Sings This)
Ok, I want to hear yours.........
Stupid, Clueless, or Inconsiderate?
I just got back to the office from a quick run to the local supermarket. I was craving grapes. So, I get on the "express" line and there are like 8 people waiting in line and nobody's moving. Of course, it's ONE asshole holding up the whole line. She's digging through her change purse for fuckin' pennies to give the cashier exact change.(STRIKE ONE)If that wasn't bad enough, she then looks over her receipt and refuses to move to allow the next customer in line to get to the checkout spot. (STRIKE TWO) She finally moves and wheels her cart (with one bag in it) to the parking lot where she stops in the middle of the traffic lane of the parking lot to once again review her receipt. Cars are just sitting there waiting to drive while she is perusing her recipt. (STRIKE THREE, BITCH!) What is wrong with people? Are they stupid, clueless, or just simply inconsiderate?
Activity Times......
I know every time of the day is a good time for sex, but different people have different preferences as to when they like it the most. Personally, I am a night guy myself. Even though I may be tired from a long day, it's still my favorite time. It's a good way to end the day and feel close to the one you care about. Really anytime of day is good for sex, but my least favorite is first thing in the morning. For starters, I like to just keep to myself most of the time in the morning. Secondly, I don't feel myself when I first wake up. I don't have the energy I should, I haven't brushed my teeth yet, and all that fun stuff. Not that I'd turn down sex in the morning, I am just saying if I had to choose it would be ANY time of day after say, 10AM. I must say that when you do have sex first thing in the morning then head off to work or where ever, you do feel a bit more awake and energized. So, morning sex is not all that bad, but later in the day still is much better in my opinion.
I guess I am kind of like that with running and exercise too. I would much rather run in the afternoon or evening. I don't have the energy first thing. Of all the races I've ever run, my best times were in the afternoon or evening, while my slowest times have been early morning races. I suppose I enjoy all my activities later on in the day......
I guess I am kind of like that with running and exercise too. I would much rather run in the afternoon or evening. I don't have the energy first thing. Of all the races I've ever run, my best times were in the afternoon or evening, while my slowest times have been early morning races. I suppose I enjoy all my activities later on in the day......
First Out of the Gate
For as long as I can remember and at almost every job I have ever had, I always get to work about 45 minutes to an hour early daily. I enjoy the hour or so with very few people around. I like to come in and open up my computer windows, put on my music, and ease into the day. By the time everyone gets here at the scheduled time, I am already fully mentally adjusted and ready to go. I like the morning chats with the Sugar V, the music, a little blogging, an e-mail or two, then the transition to work mode. The early start also allows me to beat a good portion of the traffic and makes my ride in more pleasant. I am sort of like a boxer before heading into the ring, I like the time to collect my thoughts and pump myself up for what lies ahead. Sure, I give these bastards a free hour a day, but for my sanity, it's worth it. I do, however, bolt at the scheduled time of departure...you can set your watch to that!
Sunday, April 17, 2005
"Every Little Thing, Gonna Be Alright"
No Need To Panic Yankee Fans!
Well, the NY media and fans are already in panic mode. Our beloved Yankees have started the season 4-8. The owner, Mr. Steinbrenner is already flipping out, but stay calm Yankee fans! If you think back to last year, we got off to an awful start and won the division. Sure, we blew it in the playoffs, but we won the division for the seventh year in a row and will win our eighth division in a row in 2005. It's still early and NY always prevails!
Outrageous!!!
Do I get a blowjob with this?
It gets worse every time I fill up. These are the current gas prices in town as of an hour ago. What the fuck is going on? When are the people going to revolt already???
Bandwagon Fans
I just got in from my run down on the boardwalk, what an amazing day it is outside. Before I hop in the shower and carry on with this amazing day I wanted to jot down a quick thought.
I absolutely DESPISE bandwagon fans. People who like a team and "represent" them with clothing, decorations, or whatever when a team is doing well. When the team sucks, everyone jumps ship. I must have seen two dozen people all of a sudden wearing NY METS clothing and hats up on the beach today. I haven't seen 24 people wearing METS hats or clothing combined in the last FIVE years. This year they add a couple of "star" players and win SIX games in a row and all of a sudden their fans come crawling out from under rocks. I hate that shit. I've been a Yankee fan since I could walk and talk. From 1981-1995 they did not make the playoffs ONCE. They were one of the worst teams in the league from 1989-1992, yet I still went to their games, wore their hat, and was proud to be a Yankee fan. I sat in Yankee stadium during those years and watched them get their asses handed to them by lowly teams like the KC Royals. I still had pride and let it be known I was a Yankee fan.
I am the same with my NY Islander hockey team. From 1995-2002 they were the laughing stock of the NHL, yet I still supported the team by going to the games and was proud to be a fan of the team that represents Long Island in the NHL. I did not walk around wearing NJ Devils gear because they won two Stanley Cups in that stretch of time. I hate people like that.
We definitely have too many Lakers, Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, and Red Sox "fans" walking around here in NY. When these teams go into a tailspin, suddenly nobody wants to be associated with them! Pick a team and stick with them through thick and thin!!!!
I absolutely DESPISE bandwagon fans. People who like a team and "represent" them with clothing, decorations, or whatever when a team is doing well. When the team sucks, everyone jumps ship. I must have seen two dozen people all of a sudden wearing NY METS clothing and hats up on the beach today. I haven't seen 24 people wearing METS hats or clothing combined in the last FIVE years. This year they add a couple of "star" players and win SIX games in a row and all of a sudden their fans come crawling out from under rocks. I hate that shit. I've been a Yankee fan since I could walk and talk. From 1981-1995 they did not make the playoffs ONCE. They were one of the worst teams in the league from 1989-1992, yet I still went to their games, wore their hat, and was proud to be a Yankee fan. I sat in Yankee stadium during those years and watched them get their asses handed to them by lowly teams like the KC Royals. I still had pride and let it be known I was a Yankee fan.
I am the same with my NY Islander hockey team. From 1995-2002 they were the laughing stock of the NHL, yet I still supported the team by going to the games and was proud to be a fan of the team that represents Long Island in the NHL. I did not walk around wearing NJ Devils gear because they won two Stanley Cups in that stretch of time. I hate people like that.
We definitely have too many Lakers, Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, and Red Sox "fans" walking around here in NY. When these teams go into a tailspin, suddenly nobody wants to be associated with them! Pick a team and stick with them through thick and thin!!!!
My Favorite Quote
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?"- Robert F. Kennedy
I've always loved this quote. There are many people that face things and always wonder why or why me. People that just question things and don't look or act beyond their questioning. Then there are those who think of things that nobody else has thought of and say why not, why can't this be, and take action to see it happen. Which person are you?
I've always loved this quote. There are many people that face things and always wonder why or why me. People that just question things and don't look or act beyond their questioning. Then there are those who think of things that nobody else has thought of and say why not, why can't this be, and take action to see it happen. Which person are you?
The Restaurant Birthday Song
Can't you go anywhere to dine now without having to hear 15 waiters and waitresses sing their version of "Happy Birthday?" I was at a great Italian restaurant last night and they even had to sing their version of the douche bag birthday song there. It's annoying! I don't mind if it's for a small child who is being taken out by their parents or grandparents for their birthday, let the kid enjoy their day, you are only a kid once. I am talking about these people who are over 25 that somehow feel the need to be sung to by strangers for their birthday or their friends who feel the need to let the restaurant staff, and the world for that matter, know it's their buddy's birthday.
What makes me wonder the most is, who's writing the lyrics to all these wacky birthday song versions? Every restaurant seems to have their own now. In some places it's just vocals, in others it's poor vocals and lyrics combined with annoying clapping, maracas, and other small instruments or gadgets you really don't want to hear directly in your ear when you are trying to have a conversation with someone. Are the CEOs of some of these chains like Fridays giving out homework assignments to the staff to see who can come up with the most annoying song? Or is it some marketing genius in a boardroom somewhere that is completely out of touch with the world? Either way, it needs to stop! We need to take a united stand against the cheesy birthday parade and song at restaurants! The "original" birthday song sucks bad enough, we don't need 1,000 different versions and remixes.
What makes me wonder the most is, who's writing the lyrics to all these wacky birthday song versions? Every restaurant seems to have their own now. In some places it's just vocals, in others it's poor vocals and lyrics combined with annoying clapping, maracas, and other small instruments or gadgets you really don't want to hear directly in your ear when you are trying to have a conversation with someone. Are the CEOs of some of these chains like Fridays giving out homework assignments to the staff to see who can come up with the most annoying song? Or is it some marketing genius in a boardroom somewhere that is completely out of touch with the world? Either way, it needs to stop! We need to take a united stand against the cheesy birthday parade and song at restaurants! The "original" birthday song sucks bad enough, we don't need 1,000 different versions and remixes.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Instant Winner?
I hate all these games and contests on almost every product you buy. Does anyone really ever win these "grand prizes?"
Remember the McDonald's Monopoly game? You'd have to collect all the different properties from the Monopoly game and then trade them in for prizes. How many times do they think someone is going to McDonald's that they would be able to collect all these pieces? Sure, it was easy to get those two purple properties, but you win like a fuckin' small coke. The big prize was getting Boardwalk and Park Place for $1,000,000. This was impossible. They probably made only one piece of each which they proceeded to send one to like Nebraska and the other to Nepal. Nobody's winning a million bucks from McDonald's.
Then you have these punch cards every time you buy a sandwich somewhere. After like 12 punches you get a free sandwich. Wouldn't you be fuckin' sick of eating this by then? It's usually at like a Philly cheese steak place. By the time you got the free one your arteries would be clogged and you'd need more than a free sandwich.
Even the lottery is rigged. Those scratch-offs are a scam. What's the most you've ever won on them $20? Here in NY they have "Win for Life." The grand prize is $1,000 a week for the rest of your life. I am certain that if you win your days are numbered because the lottery agency probably hires a hitman or a sniper two weeks after you win to rub you out so they don't have to pay. Suddenly, the breaks on your car fail, or something fucked up like that and so goes your winnings.....
They had a scratch off contest in The Daily News newspaper here in NY about a month ago. The printing company they hired fucked the whole campaign up. On the Sunday morning of the contest dozens upon dozens of people scratched off their game sheets and won $10,000 or $100,000. People were so excited and so happy until they went to claim their prize and the paper said it was a printing error. They actually got away with it because in some fine print somewhere it says they are not responsible. Imagine winning that much cash and then being told it was a mistake? I would have snapped.
They actually sell fake lottery tickets at the novelty stores in the mall. You put these in a card for someone's birthday or whatever. I played this gag on my dad a few years back. He scratched it off and was so happy thinking he won $25,000. We told him to read the back to find out where to redeeem the ticket. It was then that he realized it was a joke.....I kind of felt bad afterwards.
Remember the McDonald's Monopoly game? You'd have to collect all the different properties from the Monopoly game and then trade them in for prizes. How many times do they think someone is going to McDonald's that they would be able to collect all these pieces? Sure, it was easy to get those two purple properties, but you win like a fuckin' small coke. The big prize was getting Boardwalk and Park Place for $1,000,000. This was impossible. They probably made only one piece of each which they proceeded to send one to like Nebraska and the other to Nepal. Nobody's winning a million bucks from McDonald's.
Then you have these punch cards every time you buy a sandwich somewhere. After like 12 punches you get a free sandwich. Wouldn't you be fuckin' sick of eating this by then? It's usually at like a Philly cheese steak place. By the time you got the free one your arteries would be clogged and you'd need more than a free sandwich.
Even the lottery is rigged. Those scratch-offs are a scam. What's the most you've ever won on them $20? Here in NY they have "Win for Life." The grand prize is $1,000 a week for the rest of your life. I am certain that if you win your days are numbered because the lottery agency probably hires a hitman or a sniper two weeks after you win to rub you out so they don't have to pay. Suddenly, the breaks on your car fail, or something fucked up like that and so goes your winnings.....
They had a scratch off contest in The Daily News newspaper here in NY about a month ago. The printing company they hired fucked the whole campaign up. On the Sunday morning of the contest dozens upon dozens of people scratched off their game sheets and won $10,000 or $100,000. People were so excited and so happy until they went to claim their prize and the paper said it was a printing error. They actually got away with it because in some fine print somewhere it says they are not responsible. Imagine winning that much cash and then being told it was a mistake? I would have snapped.
They actually sell fake lottery tickets at the novelty stores in the mall. You put these in a card for someone's birthday or whatever. I played this gag on my dad a few years back. He scratched it off and was so happy thinking he won $25,000. We told him to read the back to find out where to redeeem the ticket. It was then that he realized it was a joke.....I kind of felt bad afterwards.
Friday, April 15, 2005
The Amityville Horror....AGAIN????
Ok, so how many fuckin' movies are they going to make out of this story? The Amityville Horror house, a real house, about 5-10 minutes down the road from where I am right now at work, but come on already, another movie about it? We got the point in the first bunch of movies back in the day!
What I never understood about these "haunted" houses is why people stay and deal with all that haunting shit. I would see one fucked up thing and my Irish/Italian ass would be running out of that house! Why do these people stay and endure these alleged hauntings? The first voice in the night, the first footsteps I heard coming up steps, the first blood coming out of walls, my ass is out of there, isn't that common sense? My scared ass would be on the phone with Century 21 and a fuckin' for sale sign would be on that lawn in an hour!
Remember the movie Poltergeist? That little girl Carol Ann vanished but they could hear her through the TV? I would have flipped the channel a few times and if the bitch didn't come out, I would have been out of there! I am going to deal with shit flying all over the house, voices, cold drafts? Fuck that!
It must suck trying to go to the bathroom, shower, or get laid with these ghosts around. I can't imagine you could really get into banging away with an evil ghost or voice around and about. Kind of a mood killer, I'd tend to think....
If Caspar, "the friendly ghost" passed by, perhaps I'd stay and chill with him. But these evil, fucked up ghosts and demons, no fuckin' way! Who in their right mind would try to stick it out in a haunted house? I don't want my bed flying in the air with my head spinning 360 degrees while I spit pea soup....I'd rather call Century 21!
What I never understood about these "haunted" houses is why people stay and deal with all that haunting shit. I would see one fucked up thing and my Irish/Italian ass would be running out of that house! Why do these people stay and endure these alleged hauntings? The first voice in the night, the first footsteps I heard coming up steps, the first blood coming out of walls, my ass is out of there, isn't that common sense? My scared ass would be on the phone with Century 21 and a fuckin' for sale sign would be on that lawn in an hour!
Remember the movie Poltergeist? That little girl Carol Ann vanished but they could hear her through the TV? I would have flipped the channel a few times and if the bitch didn't come out, I would have been out of there! I am going to deal with shit flying all over the house, voices, cold drafts? Fuck that!
It must suck trying to go to the bathroom, shower, or get laid with these ghosts around. I can't imagine you could really get into banging away with an evil ghost or voice around and about. Kind of a mood killer, I'd tend to think....
If Caspar, "the friendly ghost" passed by, perhaps I'd stay and chill with him. But these evil, fucked up ghosts and demons, no fuckin' way! Who in their right mind would try to stick it out in a haunted house? I don't want my bed flying in the air with my head spinning 360 degrees while I spit pea soup....I'd rather call Century 21!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Classic Phone Scam #3 "Don't Answer The Phone"
As some of you know from previous posts, I was the master of the phone scam back in the day. I posted a few of my classic call schemes back about a month or so ago, here's another classic:
I would get someone's name and address out of the phone book, call them, and ask for them by name. When they would come on the line I would tell them I was "Tony DeLorenzo from Bell Atlantic (now Verizon)" I would call them about 9Pm and tell them we were going to be doing some very high powered testing on the phone lines in their neighborhood between 10PM and Midnight. I would go on to tell them that if the phone rings in that two hour time frame DO NOT answer the phone because the person calling you would receive a EXTREMELY bad shock due to the voltage running through the lines. They would thank me for letting them know and promise not to answer the phone during those times. I would wait until about 10:15PM (in the time frame they were not supposed to answer the phone) and then call them. They would either forget or they were just curious to see what would happen. When they would answer I would Scream AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! like I was being electrocuted. You would hear them panic and go "Oh my God" and hurry to hang up the phone.......very funny to hear......people will believe anything!!!!
The CD of these is coming soon! yes, I have hours of these wacky calls on tape from like 1990...they are a riot. I have to get them transferred to my computer and burned on CD's.
I would get someone's name and address out of the phone book, call them, and ask for them by name. When they would come on the line I would tell them I was "Tony DeLorenzo from Bell Atlantic (now Verizon)" I would call them about 9Pm and tell them we were going to be doing some very high powered testing on the phone lines in their neighborhood between 10PM and Midnight. I would go on to tell them that if the phone rings in that two hour time frame DO NOT answer the phone because the person calling you would receive a EXTREMELY bad shock due to the voltage running through the lines. They would thank me for letting them know and promise not to answer the phone during those times. I would wait until about 10:15PM (in the time frame they were not supposed to answer the phone) and then call them. They would either forget or they were just curious to see what would happen. When they would answer I would Scream AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! like I was being electrocuted. You would hear them panic and go "Oh my God" and hurry to hang up the phone.......very funny to hear......people will believe anything!!!!
The CD of these is coming soon! yes, I have hours of these wacky calls on tape from like 1990...they are a riot. I have to get them transferred to my computer and burned on CD's.
Things Along The Way.............
I just got back in from my run. When I am actually running I am in my own world, just me and my music up on the boardwalk. It's the cool down walk home where I notice little things and wonder:
How do pairs of sneakers end up hanging from power lines? Do people just get fed up with their sneakers and toss them up on the power lines? Is it a joke one person plays on another, I know I'd be pissed. I've always wondered how they get up there....
Then there's the oNE sock that lays in the middle of the road. Didn't this person notice as they were hopping home with one bare foot? How do you lose a sock in the road? I know the washer/dryer is a black hole for socks, but the road? Maybe the socks we end up missing from the wash make a run for it and the sock laying in the road is one that didn't make it.......
What about the people with no curtains or blinds on the windows of their home? What are they thinking? It's like living in Macy's store front. You walk by their house and you see everything that's going on. Don't they care that everyone passing and who lives near them can see everything? Maybe they are exhibitionists and get off on it.......
Then there are the people with backyards and decks who choose to BBQ and eat on their front lawns or driveways. What the fuck is that all about? Who wants to eat with traffic passing and auto fumes?
Then there are the lazy ass horn honkers who pull up at people's homes that refuse to either call them from their cell or get their fat asses out of the car to knock on the door. They just sit there and honk away forever.....but we've covered this topic already.
Just a few observances on the way home from a very windy run tonight......
How do pairs of sneakers end up hanging from power lines? Do people just get fed up with their sneakers and toss them up on the power lines? Is it a joke one person plays on another, I know I'd be pissed. I've always wondered how they get up there....
Then there's the oNE sock that lays in the middle of the road. Didn't this person notice as they were hopping home with one bare foot? How do you lose a sock in the road? I know the washer/dryer is a black hole for socks, but the road? Maybe the socks we end up missing from the wash make a run for it and the sock laying in the road is one that didn't make it.......
What about the people with no curtains or blinds on the windows of their home? What are they thinking? It's like living in Macy's store front. You walk by their house and you see everything that's going on. Don't they care that everyone passing and who lives near them can see everything? Maybe they are exhibitionists and get off on it.......
Then there are the people with backyards and decks who choose to BBQ and eat on their front lawns or driveways. What the fuck is that all about? Who wants to eat with traffic passing and auto fumes?
Then there are the lazy ass horn honkers who pull up at people's homes that refuse to either call them from their cell or get their fat asses out of the car to knock on the door. They just sit there and honk away forever.....but we've covered this topic already.
Just a few observances on the way home from a very windy run tonight......
What Happened To the Jetsons Lifestyle?
I want to live like these folks
It's 2005 and we are still not living like the Jetsons. What the fuck happened? When I was in elementary/middle school back in the 80's everyone had us believing that we'd be flying around in those Jetsons cars and living like them. I have no Rosie rolling around my house. Not even Astro for that matter. There are no moving sidewalks, no popping a pill as a meal and being full, just the same old shit there was 20 years ago! I want to fly to work and then fold that car up in a suitcase!
Foods You Won't Eat Outside Your Home
I was chatting with some co-workers yesterday on our lunch break during our long ass meeting. We were talking about foods we won't eat unless it's made at home or by a relative.
Those of you who know me well know how much I love to cook and that I'm pretty good at it too! There's nothing like a house full of people and cooking for everyone, It's fun. Whether it be a huge BBQ or cooking up something in the kitchen, I enjoy it very much. Must be my Italian side. I am very particular about ingredients and about what I cook and eat. There are a few things I really won't eat unless I make it or maybe my Mom or brother makes it:
1) Eggplant. Just about every restaurant fucks up eggplant. They cut it too thick, don't cook it long enough, and it's just NASTY! I make a great eggplant and it kicks ass!
2) Meatballs. Even good Italian restaurants need training on meatballs. They use too many breadcrumbs and the things are like fuckin' cue balls. I have rarely even attempted getting these anywhere but from my own kitchen.
3) Chili. I've had chili in many a place and it's never as good as when you make it at home. Not sure what these places skimp on, but it usually sucks!
4)Hamburgers. There's nothing like a burger made at home on the BBQ. It's not often that I can find a really good hamburger somewhere. It's usually soggy or tastes like crap.
5) Bacon. Everyplace I get bacon they never make it crispy! It's always soggy and rubbery. Leave it in the pan another few minutes! I usually end up throwing it away or taking it off my sandwich. Nothing like it made at home.
That's just a few things I hate eating out of the home....love to hear yours.....
Those of you who know me well know how much I love to cook and that I'm pretty good at it too! There's nothing like a house full of people and cooking for everyone, It's fun. Whether it be a huge BBQ or cooking up something in the kitchen, I enjoy it very much. Must be my Italian side. I am very particular about ingredients and about what I cook and eat. There are a few things I really won't eat unless I make it or maybe my Mom or brother makes it:
1) Eggplant. Just about every restaurant fucks up eggplant. They cut it too thick, don't cook it long enough, and it's just NASTY! I make a great eggplant and it kicks ass!
2) Meatballs. Even good Italian restaurants need training on meatballs. They use too many breadcrumbs and the things are like fuckin' cue balls. I have rarely even attempted getting these anywhere but from my own kitchen.
3) Chili. I've had chili in many a place and it's never as good as when you make it at home. Not sure what these places skimp on, but it usually sucks!
4)Hamburgers. There's nothing like a burger made at home on the BBQ. It's not often that I can find a really good hamburger somewhere. It's usually soggy or tastes like crap.
5) Bacon. Everyplace I get bacon they never make it crispy! It's always soggy and rubbery. Leave it in the pan another few minutes! I usually end up throwing it away or taking it off my sandwich. Nothing like it made at home.
That's just a few things I hate eating out of the home....love to hear yours.....
"Ordinary World"
From what I hear, MSG was the place to be last night for the Duran Duran show. I've always loved their work. They have a distinctive sound and some great lyrics. One of my favorite songs from them is "Ordinary World." I think it's a song we can all relate to. It's about having to find your life after a romance or a break-up. We sometimes get so caught up in a routine of seeing someone that we forget what life was like before you and that person met. It's only after the relationship ends that you try to find your way. The memories of that person seem to follow you and haunt you no matter what you do or where you are. But somehow, you have to find a way to get back to a life that you knew before them:
Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue,
Thought I heard you talking softly.
I turned on the lights, the TV and the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you.
What is happening to it all?
Crazy some say-
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away.
How many times has even our own home become different after you break up with someone? You remember all the times you shared with them there and your own home seems to become unrecognizable without them. You are haunted by these memories and it takes so long to get back to some sense of normalcy.
But I won't cry for yesterday.
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive.
Passion or coincidence once prompted you to say-
Pride will tear us both apart.
Well now pride's gone out the window, cross the rooftops, runaway.
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.
What is happening to me?
Crazy some say.
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away.
Sure, we always learn to survive and move on, but it's remembering how to that's the struggle. You just have to build on each day and get over the hurdles and the memories.
Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed,
Feared today; forgot tomorrow.
Here beside the news of holy war and holy need,
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk-
Blown away.
Just blowing away.
That's my favorite verse of the song, it's so true. In the entire scheme of the universe you have to look at how small your struggle is compared to what's going on around you. Of course, within your own world things can seem horrible and difficult to heal from. But, if you look at the full scope of the struggles in the world, something like a break-up is just a blip on the screen, and it will pass.
Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue,
Thought I heard you talking softly.
I turned on the lights, the TV and the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you.
What is happening to it all?
Crazy some say-
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away.
How many times has even our own home become different after you break up with someone? You remember all the times you shared with them there and your own home seems to become unrecognizable without them. You are haunted by these memories and it takes so long to get back to some sense of normalcy.
But I won't cry for yesterday.
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive.
Passion or coincidence once prompted you to say-
Pride will tear us both apart.
Well now pride's gone out the window, cross the rooftops, runaway.
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.
What is happening to me?
Crazy some say.
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away.
Sure, we always learn to survive and move on, but it's remembering how to that's the struggle. You just have to build on each day and get over the hurdles and the memories.
Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed,
Feared today; forgot tomorrow.
Here beside the news of holy war and holy need,
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk-
Blown away.
Just blowing away.
That's my favorite verse of the song, it's so true. In the entire scheme of the universe you have to look at how small your struggle is compared to what's going on around you. Of course, within your own world things can seem horrible and difficult to heal from. But, if you look at the full scope of the struggles in the world, something like a break-up is just a blip on the screen, and it will pass.
Encore? I Think Not.
Although last night was a bit different than the normal show and the bottom THREE contestants sang a song BEFORE one of them got eliminated, American Idol normally makes the person voted off sing after they are eliminated. They have to always perform the song they sang the night before that got them booted. What the fuck is that? That's like a contestant who gets the wrong answer on Final Jeopardy having to come out and answer it wrong again just for shits and giggles. I would think it's quite embarrassing. Or how about a baseball player that makes an error to lose the game and they parade him out after the game and hit a ball to him where he has to make it go through his legs again. That's just messed up. Most of these American Idol contestants are in tears or on the verge of tears and they are forced to sing in front of the millions of people who DID NOT vote for them the night before to keep them in the competition. If we wanted to see them sing again, we would have VOTED for them! Can you imagine letting the losing Presidential candidate debate the winning Presidential candidate the day after the election. WHY??? We have already heard you and you lost, now leave. Unless of course they ran against Bush and Bush won, then we welcome those people back to speak and make him look like an ass some more. On American Idol, just announce who lost, kiss them goodbye and let it be. Don't make them sing again!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Male Bashing?
We live in a great country where anyone can say what they want and express themselves freely. Recently, I’ve come across so many blog posts that bash men. I’m sure many of these men were probably douche bags and deserve the criticism. On a daily basis I read many blogs written by ladies and I respect all of you for your opinions and experiences. I find your insight on life very thought provoking and informative. But, for a minute here, I have to ask that you see the other side of things.
Have any of you ladies ever taken a step back and thought that maybe some of these guys are the way they are because they’ve gone through the torture and torment of a crazy ass bitch? Sure, many men are scumbags. They were born that way and they will die that way. They were raised to treat women like shit and they always will. I must say though, that there are many good guys out there. Good guys that deal with and go through the same stuff you describe, the only difference is that it’s dealt to us by women of the same caliber as these scumbag men you speak of.
We come across women with more baggage than American Airlines and more issues than the Sunday Times. We deal with women who claim they are single, but are attached and are players. We deal with women who say they are emotionally over their last man, only to find out months down the line that they never got over them. We deal with women who are liars, cheats, mentally unstable, stalkers, emotionally abusive, and a host of other poor qualities. The difference is that society thinks because we have a dick in our pants that we don’t have a heart.
Just like you, we hurt when we come across these people. We get jaded and a bit fucked up when we come across one of these women just as you do when you come across a scumbag. We hurt, we feel pain, we get sad, and it affects us. It takes us time to get over this just as it does for you. At times maybe we don’t vocalize the pain or the hurt like many women do, but trust me, it’s there and we feel it.
This post isn’t an attempt to defend men who don’t deserve to be defended. I hope, just as you all do, that they get what they deserve someday. I just hope that you ladies realize that we go through the same issues daily that you do, the only difference with us is that society frowns on us for showing emotion. Yes, women and men have many differences but we also share so much common ground. It’s getting together on that common ground to rid ourselves of these assholes (both men and women) together so we can all be happy and bullshit free. If you are a guy and your male friend treats women like shit, don’t encourage it, call him out on it and tell him to grow the fuck up. Same with the ladies, if one of your girls is fucked up and doing bad shit behind her guy’s back, don’t just laugh it off or encourage it, take a fuckin’ stand. Too many people don’t have the nerve or the courage to tell their friends they are acting in a fucked up way. We let it go and don’t challenge them to act better and the cycle never gets broken.
In closing, I think each person should be treated on a case by case basis. Making broad or sweeping statements about a gender, a race, a religion, or whatever is narrow minded and wrong. All men are not bad just as all women are not bad. We share so much in common, yet we always seem to focus on the differences. Yes, we have and will continue to come across assholes. It’s about learning the warning signs of these people and steering clear of them.
Have any of you ladies ever taken a step back and thought that maybe some of these guys are the way they are because they’ve gone through the torture and torment of a crazy ass bitch? Sure, many men are scumbags. They were born that way and they will die that way. They were raised to treat women like shit and they always will. I must say though, that there are many good guys out there. Good guys that deal with and go through the same stuff you describe, the only difference is that it’s dealt to us by women of the same caliber as these scumbag men you speak of.
We come across women with more baggage than American Airlines and more issues than the Sunday Times. We deal with women who claim they are single, but are attached and are players. We deal with women who say they are emotionally over their last man, only to find out months down the line that they never got over them. We deal with women who are liars, cheats, mentally unstable, stalkers, emotionally abusive, and a host of other poor qualities. The difference is that society thinks because we have a dick in our pants that we don’t have a heart.
Just like you, we hurt when we come across these people. We get jaded and a bit fucked up when we come across one of these women just as you do when you come across a scumbag. We hurt, we feel pain, we get sad, and it affects us. It takes us time to get over this just as it does for you. At times maybe we don’t vocalize the pain or the hurt like many women do, but trust me, it’s there and we feel it.
This post isn’t an attempt to defend men who don’t deserve to be defended. I hope, just as you all do, that they get what they deserve someday. I just hope that you ladies realize that we go through the same issues daily that you do, the only difference with us is that society frowns on us for showing emotion. Yes, women and men have many differences but we also share so much common ground. It’s getting together on that common ground to rid ourselves of these assholes (both men and women) together so we can all be happy and bullshit free. If you are a guy and your male friend treats women like shit, don’t encourage it, call him out on it and tell him to grow the fuck up. Same with the ladies, if one of your girls is fucked up and doing bad shit behind her guy’s back, don’t just laugh it off or encourage it, take a fuckin’ stand. Too many people don’t have the nerve or the courage to tell their friends they are acting in a fucked up way. We let it go and don’t challenge them to act better and the cycle never gets broken.
In closing, I think each person should be treated on a case by case basis. Making broad or sweeping statements about a gender, a race, a religion, or whatever is narrow minded and wrong. All men are not bad just as all women are not bad. We share so much in common, yet we always seem to focus on the differences. Yes, we have and will continue to come across assholes. It’s about learning the warning signs of these people and steering clear of them.
Newspaper Delivery
I noticed that kids don't deliver papers anymore. Over the past few years it has been adults in a car tossing them on lawns and driveways. Have kids gotten that lazy? How the hell do they make a little money for themselves? I remember riding my bike in all kinds of extreme weather conditions to get those papers delivered. It was kind of like slave labor though. You mainly worked off tips and on a GOOD week, you walked away with like $30 for seven days worth of humping papers around. Sunday Mornings sucked ass. Those papers were HEAVY and you had to put them all together before you delivered them. Your hands would be full of print, you'd be tired, but your ass was out and about at like 6:30AM. I hope these adult delivery people have other sources of income. I doubt it though because every adult delivery person I've seen drives around in this big ass hoopty with no power steering. Poor Bastards.
I don't understand the home delivery of the newspaper anymore, except maybe the Sunday paper. During the week, who's sitting at home reading a paper? By the time you get the paper, that shit is old news already. Just turn on CNN for 10 minutes and be done with it and all caught up on the news. Most of the time, they don't even have scores of games that end past 10pm. Who the fuck needs it then? I can see someone on a subway or train commuting reading a paper, it kills time, but home delivery? Screw that.
Off to a day full of meetings, this sucks................
I don't understand the home delivery of the newspaper anymore, except maybe the Sunday paper. During the week, who's sitting at home reading a paper? By the time you get the paper, that shit is old news already. Just turn on CNN for 10 minutes and be done with it and all caught up on the news. Most of the time, they don't even have scores of games that end past 10pm. Who the fuck needs it then? I can see someone on a subway or train commuting reading a paper, it kills time, but home delivery? Screw that.
Off to a day full of meetings, this sucks................
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Game Shows
On Sunday, I made the mistake of moving one of four TV's in the house into the dining room. Now I am glued to bullshit shows while I eat my meals. Tonight Jeopardy was followed by Wheel of Fortune. It got me thinking of game shows over the years and all the nonsense that occurs on those shows.
Jeopardy is cool, but you have total fuckin' nerds on there that know so much useless information that you KNOW these people aren't getting laid regularly. That Ken Jennings dude was cool, you know the guy who won like 74 consecutive Jeopardy matches, but you know he has not been laid since the Nixon administration. Alex Trebek, the host, is a good guy but he acts like a big fuckin' know it all with the answers on cards in front of him. When people get it wrong he's like "No, the correct answer was _______" in a tone like he knew it all along.
Wheel of Fortune is a show I hate more than anything. Pat Sajak is a total douche bag. His own talk show got canceled after like half a season. Vanna White has made millions turning lit up letters. Now the lazy bitch does not even have to turn them, she just touches them. Is having her on the show really necessary? I like when the stupid people have like $8000 in their bank and are too stupid to solve it so they spin the wheel and more times than not, they hit that bankrupt space. I love it and usually laugh my ass off.
The Price is Right is another annoying game show. Bob Barker is how old now, 101? He has been in and out of court for sexually harassing those model chicks. Those models annoy me too. The run their fingers over everything when they show it to the camera. It's a fuckin' box of Rice A Roni, you are not making it look any better! The contestants on there are straight out of the trailer parks. They are so fuckin' stupid. They play the price game and are asked what costs more this 12 pack of D batteries or this box of lipton soup. And then they are like "uuuuuhhhh the soup Bob?" Then you have the 500lb women who try to spin that showcase showdown wheel. Their tits are sagging to the ground and they put all their weight into the spin and almost bust the fuckin' wheel. Then you have the weak people who can barely spin the thing.
Family Feud blows too. They had that Richard Dawson host back in the day who used to tongue everyone. That guy kissed more women than Wilt Chamberlain. Then they had another host who ended up hanging himself. There have been a bunch of hosts since then. They always put the stupid ass family member at the end of the line hoping the questions won't get to them. Those families were quite a sight. What rock did they dig these families out from under? The best part of Family Feud was the bonus round, although one family member of the two that can play in the bonus round always fucked things up and got like 40 out of the 200 points needed to win it all. You know they were disowned when their sorry ass got on the plane home. On the rare occasions they did win the money at the end, why did they all stand in a circle jumping up and down to the theme show music? They looked so fuckin' stupid.
I used to like that "Press Your Luck" show. You know the one with those "whammys" that would dance across the screen and jack people's cash. I loved when people would lose their money. I think they changed the name to "Whammy" now, it's not the same.
I hated the Newlywed Game. They'd always used the term "whoopie" for fucking or banging and it bothered me. Just ask, "What was the strangest place you and your wife ever banged?" That sure sounds better than the strangest place you ever made "whoopie."
There have been so many game shows I can't even get into them all.....for the most part they all blow.
Jeopardy is cool, but you have total fuckin' nerds on there that know so much useless information that you KNOW these people aren't getting laid regularly. That Ken Jennings dude was cool, you know the guy who won like 74 consecutive Jeopardy matches, but you know he has not been laid since the Nixon administration. Alex Trebek, the host, is a good guy but he acts like a big fuckin' know it all with the answers on cards in front of him. When people get it wrong he's like "No, the correct answer was _______" in a tone like he knew it all along.
Wheel of Fortune is a show I hate more than anything. Pat Sajak is a total douche bag. His own talk show got canceled after like half a season. Vanna White has made millions turning lit up letters. Now the lazy bitch does not even have to turn them, she just touches them. Is having her on the show really necessary? I like when the stupid people have like $8000 in their bank and are too stupid to solve it so they spin the wheel and more times than not, they hit that bankrupt space. I love it and usually laugh my ass off.
The Price is Right is another annoying game show. Bob Barker is how old now, 101? He has been in and out of court for sexually harassing those model chicks. Those models annoy me too. The run their fingers over everything when they show it to the camera. It's a fuckin' box of Rice A Roni, you are not making it look any better! The contestants on there are straight out of the trailer parks. They are so fuckin' stupid. They play the price game and are asked what costs more this 12 pack of D batteries or this box of lipton soup. And then they are like "uuuuuhhhh the soup Bob?" Then you have the 500lb women who try to spin that showcase showdown wheel. Their tits are sagging to the ground and they put all their weight into the spin and almost bust the fuckin' wheel. Then you have the weak people who can barely spin the thing.
Family Feud blows too. They had that Richard Dawson host back in the day who used to tongue everyone. That guy kissed more women than Wilt Chamberlain. Then they had another host who ended up hanging himself. There have been a bunch of hosts since then. They always put the stupid ass family member at the end of the line hoping the questions won't get to them. Those families were quite a sight. What rock did they dig these families out from under? The best part of Family Feud was the bonus round, although one family member of the two that can play in the bonus round always fucked things up and got like 40 out of the 200 points needed to win it all. You know they were disowned when their sorry ass got on the plane home. On the rare occasions they did win the money at the end, why did they all stand in a circle jumping up and down to the theme show music? They looked so fuckin' stupid.
I used to like that "Press Your Luck" show. You know the one with those "whammys" that would dance across the screen and jack people's cash. I loved when people would lose their money. I think they changed the name to "Whammy" now, it's not the same.
I hated the Newlywed Game. They'd always used the term "whoopie" for fucking or banging and it bothered me. Just ask, "What was the strangest place you and your wife ever banged?" That sure sounds better than the strangest place you ever made "whoopie."
There have been so many game shows I can't even get into them all.....for the most part they all blow.
Star Wars "Revenge of the Stupidity"
Some fucked up Star Wars fans have already started camping out on line in front of theaters in Los Angeles for tickets for the final episode of Star Wars. The thing is, the movie and tickets don't go on sale for FIVE more weeks. I just saw these wackos on the news and they are going to camp out the entire FIVE weeks just so they can be the first to see the movie. What is wrong with people? The movie will be in theaters for probably three months, then on to DVD, yet you have to put your entire life on hold for FIVE weeks just so you can be first on line opening night? Imagine having to sit next to one of these unwashed smelly assholes in the theater after their five weeks on a sidewalk? On top of it, they are dressed in Star Wars costumes. So not only are they acting like douche bags, now they look like douche bags too. I love the Yankees, Bruce Springsteen, and a host of other entertainers and movies, but you can bet your sweet ass I would not sit on a fuckin' sidewalk for FIVE weeks to get tickets. If I did not actually see these people being interviewed, I would not have believed the story. It amazes me just how stupid people are. On top of it all, they are lined up at the WRONG theater and they refuse to leave!!!!!!!
What Are We Stupid?
I was watching the news last night and they were talking about this guy Stephen Stanko (nice name douche bag) who is a fugitive on the loose. He's an ex-convict who supposedly killed two people and raped a teenage girl in a 24 hour crime spree. He is out an about in like South Carolina somewhere. The news actually said, if you see this man (showed his picture) don't approach him because he's dangerous. First of all, what the fuck am I going to say to him? Hey there Stanky nice job on those murders and throw him a high five. I know the average American is a moron, Bush got elected again, but would someone really recognize that he's a fugitive and go up to him and talk or try to capture him? The measly $10,000 reward for his arrest just isn't worth taking a bullet to the head. They also said he is considered "armed and dangerous." Once again, doesn't armed say it all? Do we need to say dangerous after armed when talking about a fugitive on a crime spree? He's armed and safe......what assholes the news media are.
I wonder if his name and the torment he must have received as a child lead him to a life of crime. Stanko, that's a fun one!
I wonder if his name and the torment he must have received as a child lead him to a life of crime. Stanko, that's a fun one!
Coming Out of the Dark.....
Maybe it was the warm temperatures on Sunday, maybe I just reached a certain point and decided to look ahead. This weekend I made some decisions that will affect me for some time.
Although certain feelings of hurt or pain can't be turned on and off like a light switch, I think we all reach a point where we have to let go of things and look ahead. You can still hurt a bit over someone or something but reach a point where you find the inner strength to move ahead. I know it's time to look ahead.
The winter was full of disappointments. Disappointments that did not have to be, but ones that have altered my thought process and the way I look at things and people. It's difficult when you put so much of yourself into a job, or a person, or whatever, and don't get the results you want. A result that would have been the same no matter what you tried to do. That's the part that sucks. It's better when you fuck something up yourself, then you can kick your own ass and fix things, but when you have NO control over a situation no matter how much you put into it, that's what scars you most. What's made it easier for me to get past it at this point, is the knowledge that I left it all out there and gave every ounce of my being to these couple of situations that did not pan out. Many of my friends have told me for a while now to "just forget it" but can you just forget something or someone you were really passionate about and gave part of yourself to? I don't think I can just forget these types of situations, I can however, move ahead with strength and more wisdom.
My question to pose is this...why do we find ourselves always trying to please love interests, bosses, or others that either don't deserve it or can't see beyond their own world to appreciate what you try to do? Can't these people see how much of yourself that you put into them? Yet, they let you give and give and give and you find out way too late that it was unrecognized or unappreciated. Is it the "challenge" that we are going to somehow change these people and make them better people, is it that we have pity for them, is it our inner philanthropist coming out, what is it? Why do we always seem to give so much to these people or situations? Why are these people and situations always the hardest to get over? Why do we still find ourselves caring about these people and situations even though we shouldn't?
I'm not a guy that does anything half-assed. I take my job, my running, my writing, my cooking, my friendships, my relationships, and everything else I venture into VERY seriously. I am passionate about being successful and giving everything my all. I guess I have to get beyond looking at my efforts with people as a "failure" if things don't work out. There are certain people you just can't get through to no matter what....I just have to accept that.
I realized Sunday that it is time to think of me for a change. No, I have not changed who I am, I'll always be me and give my all to those who deserve it, but you can bet I am going to be a great deal more cautious and a great deal more selective in the process. Peace, at last.
Although certain feelings of hurt or pain can't be turned on and off like a light switch, I think we all reach a point where we have to let go of things and look ahead. You can still hurt a bit over someone or something but reach a point where you find the inner strength to move ahead. I know it's time to look ahead.
The winter was full of disappointments. Disappointments that did not have to be, but ones that have altered my thought process and the way I look at things and people. It's difficult when you put so much of yourself into a job, or a person, or whatever, and don't get the results you want. A result that would have been the same no matter what you tried to do. That's the part that sucks. It's better when you fuck something up yourself, then you can kick your own ass and fix things, but when you have NO control over a situation no matter how much you put into it, that's what scars you most. What's made it easier for me to get past it at this point, is the knowledge that I left it all out there and gave every ounce of my being to these couple of situations that did not pan out. Many of my friends have told me for a while now to "just forget it" but can you just forget something or someone you were really passionate about and gave part of yourself to? I don't think I can just forget these types of situations, I can however, move ahead with strength and more wisdom.
My question to pose is this...why do we find ourselves always trying to please love interests, bosses, or others that either don't deserve it or can't see beyond their own world to appreciate what you try to do? Can't these people see how much of yourself that you put into them? Yet, they let you give and give and give and you find out way too late that it was unrecognized or unappreciated. Is it the "challenge" that we are going to somehow change these people and make them better people, is it that we have pity for them, is it our inner philanthropist coming out, what is it? Why do we always seem to give so much to these people or situations? Why are these people and situations always the hardest to get over? Why do we still find ourselves caring about these people and situations even though we shouldn't?
I'm not a guy that does anything half-assed. I take my job, my running, my writing, my cooking, my friendships, my relationships, and everything else I venture into VERY seriously. I am passionate about being successful and giving everything my all. I guess I have to get beyond looking at my efforts with people as a "failure" if things don't work out. There are certain people you just can't get through to no matter what....I just have to accept that.
I realized Sunday that it is time to think of me for a change. No, I have not changed who I am, I'll always be me and give my all to those who deserve it, but you can bet I am going to be a great deal more cautious and a great deal more selective in the process. Peace, at last.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Loud Commercials
I hate when you have your TV at a certain volume and you are enjoying a show, then they break for commercial and the volume of the commercial is like five times the level of the show you are watching. What's the fuckin' deal with that? You are all into American Idol, singing along, then some fuckin' KFC commercial comes on full blast! You lower the TV so the KFC jingle or whatever the cheesy commercial is isn't blaring then when it gets back to the show after the three minutes of commercials, the show is so low once again. This pisses me off. This seems to happen more on cable channels when these local business commercials come on. You are watching the Yankees, then they break between innings and you get some douche bag dressed as Ben Franklin selling used Chevy's at a local car dealership FULL FUCKIN' BLAST. Let me keep my TV at one volume instead of having to adjust it for all these cheesy ass commercials.
Where's the Technology?
A few men have walked the surface of the moon while they sipped TANG, we have invented cars that go zero to sixty in like 2.5 seconds, and the Concorde has flown us to Europe in a couple of hours, yet no technology has been developed in the area of the condom application. Guys still have to stop what they are doing, rip open this little pack, slide this slippery thing on, and keep the mood going somehow. I think it's time for technology in this area.
I think they should invent a machine device that would apply it on your penis in like seconds flat. You would like stick your penis into this machine, press a button, and boom, condom on. It's not about being lazy, it's all about convenience and necessity. How great would that be, you keep this device by the bed, when you need it, it's there. No more fumbling in the dark for the nightstand, no more ripping open little packages, no more mood killings. I know every guy, and girl for that matter has had a nightmare condom episode. This would make the condom application fast and fun. In a day and age where protection is a necessity, why not encourage the use of protection with a fast, safe, and fun way to cover up? I need to get to work to patent this idea! Any thoughts on a condom application device? I like when I pull these random thoughts out of mid air.
I think they should invent a machine device that would apply it on your penis in like seconds flat. You would like stick your penis into this machine, press a button, and boom, condom on. It's not about being lazy, it's all about convenience and necessity. How great would that be, you keep this device by the bed, when you need it, it's there. No more fumbling in the dark for the nightstand, no more ripping open little packages, no more mood killings. I know every guy, and girl for that matter has had a nightmare condom episode. This would make the condom application fast and fun. In a day and age where protection is a necessity, why not encourage the use of protection with a fast, safe, and fun way to cover up? I need to get to work to patent this idea! Any thoughts on a condom application device? I like when I pull these random thoughts out of mid air.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Feminine Hygiene Commercials
Back in January, I wrote about how much I despise those erectile dysfunction commercials. I sat through tons of those during the NFL Playoffs and now that baseball is back they are back in force. I Think I may despise the feminine hygiene commercial even more.
Yesterday I was flipping through the channels early. I was watching something on MTV and every other commercial was for a feminine hygiene product. I saw a Tampax tampon commercial yesterday that was quite stupid. This girl and this dude are on a canoe in the middle of a lake. Suddenly, the canoe springs a leak. She reaches for a FULL BOX of Tampax tampons, grabs a single tampon and plugs the hole in the boat. Ok, first of all, what the hell is she doing with a FULL box of tampons in a canoe? Did she think she was climbing aboard the SS Minnow and was going to be gone a long while? She brought enough for Ginger and Maryann as well! I mean what’s the longest you are going to be in a lame ass canoe before you say “This sucks!” and row back to shore, an hour? Secondly, are these tampons for an elephant that it can hold and block the one million gallons of lake water? If you need a tampon that absorbent, I think it’s time for a doctor’s appointment.
Then there’s the good old douche commercial. All of these are the same. You have the Mother and the daughter hanging out and the daughter always says, “Mom, I don’t feel so fresh.” They are usually at the breakfast table. The Mom just so happens to have a douche under the table and whips it out. MMMMM, nothing like French toast and a little Massengil. They then smile and hug and the commercial pans away and shows the product up close and it tells you what scents these come in. Have you heard the name of some of these scents. “Ocean Mist” is one that cracks me up. Have you smelled the ocean lately? I am not sure what girl wants their vagina smelling like the Atlantic. I also get a laugh from the “Mountain Breeze” scent. What exactly does a mountain breeze smell like, raccoon, skunk, pine cone, wood? Not sure you want your vagina smelling anything like those either.
Then there are the Maxi Pad commercials. These maxi pads have gotten pretty high tech huh? Wings, quilts, gas engines, you name it. Then they have to demonstrate how great these maxi pads are by pouring about a quart of this blue liquid on them to show all of us how absorbent these really are. Do we need to see it first hand? I’ll take their word for it.
Erectile dysfunction, herpes medication commercials, douches, maxi pads, tampax….what happened to the Kool-Aid pitcher, The Trix Rabbit, and the Keebler Elves?
Yesterday I was flipping through the channels early. I was watching something on MTV and every other commercial was for a feminine hygiene product. I saw a Tampax tampon commercial yesterday that was quite stupid. This girl and this dude are on a canoe in the middle of a lake. Suddenly, the canoe springs a leak. She reaches for a FULL BOX of Tampax tampons, grabs a single tampon and plugs the hole in the boat. Ok, first of all, what the hell is she doing with a FULL box of tampons in a canoe? Did she think she was climbing aboard the SS Minnow and was going to be gone a long while? She brought enough for Ginger and Maryann as well! I mean what’s the longest you are going to be in a lame ass canoe before you say “This sucks!” and row back to shore, an hour? Secondly, are these tampons for an elephant that it can hold and block the one million gallons of lake water? If you need a tampon that absorbent, I think it’s time for a doctor’s appointment.
Then there’s the good old douche commercial. All of these are the same. You have the Mother and the daughter hanging out and the daughter always says, “Mom, I don’t feel so fresh.” They are usually at the breakfast table. The Mom just so happens to have a douche under the table and whips it out. MMMMM, nothing like French toast and a little Massengil. They then smile and hug and the commercial pans away and shows the product up close and it tells you what scents these come in. Have you heard the name of some of these scents. “Ocean Mist” is one that cracks me up. Have you smelled the ocean lately? I am not sure what girl wants their vagina smelling like the Atlantic. I also get a laugh from the “Mountain Breeze” scent. What exactly does a mountain breeze smell like, raccoon, skunk, pine cone, wood? Not sure you want your vagina smelling anything like those either.
Then there are the Maxi Pad commercials. These maxi pads have gotten pretty high tech huh? Wings, quilts, gas engines, you name it. Then they have to demonstrate how great these maxi pads are by pouring about a quart of this blue liquid on them to show all of us how absorbent these really are. Do we need to see it first hand? I’ll take their word for it.
Erectile dysfunction, herpes medication commercials, douches, maxi pads, tampax….what happened to the Kool-Aid pitcher, The Trix Rabbit, and the Keebler Elves?
Sorry State of Affairs
Is it just me, or does the price of gasoline go up EVERY day? As it continues to rise, people continue to buy SUV's which aids in raising our demand for fuel and in fuel prices. People still wave the American flag, too blind by their "Patriotism" to realize just how bad things are in America right now.
I remember back in '99, while Clinton was getting his dick sucked and the Conservatives were in an uproar, things were booming here. Gas was .99 a gallon, the stock market was soaring, we weren't being attacked, nor were we attacking other nations, things were just going along fine. If the worst thing that happened under Clinton was a blowjob, I'll go back to those days in a second. I was making money hand over fist, OVERTIME was basically unlimited, and everyone was happy. What the hell happened?
The stock market is slightly higher(DOW, Nasdaq is almost the same) than it was when GW stole the 2000 election. We've lost 1500+ troops in Iraq, the unemployment rate is higher, the jobs that are out there are low paying bullshit jobs, gas is 80% higher than it was in 2000, we went from a surplus to a defecit, the world hates us, yet Bush wins the election last year and it's business as usual. Don't people care anymore? I think the American people have really lost their balls.
I see clips on TV from the 1960's, an era when people gave a shit. People took to the streets and made changes. They took to the streets for their civil rights, women's rights, protested unjust wars, you name it. Today everyone just accepts everything and nobody does shit about it. The country gets outraged by Janet Jackson's breast but not by 1500+ troops dying in Iraq. Americans are outraged by the thought of two men or two women getting married, but will gladly pay $2.50 for a gallon of regular gas. Americans will debate whether or not the Teletubbies promote homosexuality but won't demand or debate gun control. We need a generation of people who care, to shake things up. What's going on now is just insanity, yet people sem to be hiding from the mess that is around us. How long before we wake up and demand change? Instead of Congress debating Terri Schiavo and steroids in baseball they need to be debating alternative fuel sources to we can tell Saudi Arabia to stick their oil straight up their asses. They need to be talking about fixing the environment, educating the children, updating our infrastructure, not all this bullshit stuff.
People have to start holding these politicians accountable making their voices heard before we get ourselves deeper into an almost unfixable situation.
I remember back in '99, while Clinton was getting his dick sucked and the Conservatives were in an uproar, things were booming here. Gas was .99 a gallon, the stock market was soaring, we weren't being attacked, nor were we attacking other nations, things were just going along fine. If the worst thing that happened under Clinton was a blowjob, I'll go back to those days in a second. I was making money hand over fist, OVERTIME was basically unlimited, and everyone was happy. What the hell happened?
The stock market is slightly higher(DOW, Nasdaq is almost the same) than it was when GW stole the 2000 election. We've lost 1500+ troops in Iraq, the unemployment rate is higher, the jobs that are out there are low paying bullshit jobs, gas is 80% higher than it was in 2000, we went from a surplus to a defecit, the world hates us, yet Bush wins the election last year and it's business as usual. Don't people care anymore? I think the American people have really lost their balls.
I see clips on TV from the 1960's, an era when people gave a shit. People took to the streets and made changes. They took to the streets for their civil rights, women's rights, protested unjust wars, you name it. Today everyone just accepts everything and nobody does shit about it. The country gets outraged by Janet Jackson's breast but not by 1500+ troops dying in Iraq. Americans are outraged by the thought of two men or two women getting married, but will gladly pay $2.50 for a gallon of regular gas. Americans will debate whether or not the Teletubbies promote homosexuality but won't demand or debate gun control. We need a generation of people who care, to shake things up. What's going on now is just insanity, yet people sem to be hiding from the mess that is around us. How long before we wake up and demand change? Instead of Congress debating Terri Schiavo and steroids in baseball they need to be debating alternative fuel sources to we can tell Saudi Arabia to stick their oil straight up their asses. They need to be talking about fixing the environment, educating the children, updating our infrastructure, not all this bullshit stuff.
People have to start holding these politicians accountable making their voices heard before we get ourselves deeper into an almost unfixable situation.
The Signs of the Season
My winter blues are officially gone! After a long, cold, and disappointing winter, spring is definitely here. I basked in the glory of spring today and had one of my best days in months. I felt alive for the first time in a long time. I did my normal 7.0 mile run up on the boardwalk today and just took in all the signs of the season:
1) Dozens of other runners out there once again. It's great to see everyone back in the swing. The boardwalk was lonely the last few months. It's good to see everyone back and shaking off winter!
2) Dozens of annoying bicyclists out there. They are a pain in my ass and never stay in the bike lane, but I am in a great mood and I'll let it pass today!
3) Hot girls everywhere! The warm weather is back and so are the shorts, the tank tops, the bikini tops, and cute smiling faces. Oh, how I missed the warm weather!
4) Beach volleyball players. I saw three beach volleyball games underway today! I just smiled to myself and kept it moving knowing I'll be seeing plenty more of that in the next few months.
5) Surfers. I saw many surfers out and about today. In wet suits of course. The water temperature is a very chilly 41 right now, but just seeing them out was a welcome sign.
6) People cruising with their windows down and their radios up. From rock to rap, it was good to see and hear everyone listening and enjoying!
7) People actually washing their cars in their own driveways! (including me) It was nice to do it myself the right way rather than pay a wash $10.00!
8) Washing my patio furniture and setting up the deck. Can't wait to eat outside!
9) BBQ'ing without having to wear a ski parka and having to run in and out every 3 minutes! It was nice BBQ'ing in a t-shirt and jeans last night out on the deck. All winter I froze out there for a piece of chicken!
10) Just feeling the warmth of the sun on my face while I was outside. I missed it so much!
SIX WEEKS until Memorial Weekend and the "unofficial" kickoff to summer!
1) Dozens of other runners out there once again. It's great to see everyone back in the swing. The boardwalk was lonely the last few months. It's good to see everyone back and shaking off winter!
2) Dozens of annoying bicyclists out there. They are a pain in my ass and never stay in the bike lane, but I am in a great mood and I'll let it pass today!
3) Hot girls everywhere! The warm weather is back and so are the shorts, the tank tops, the bikini tops, and cute smiling faces. Oh, how I missed the warm weather!
4) Beach volleyball players. I saw three beach volleyball games underway today! I just smiled to myself and kept it moving knowing I'll be seeing plenty more of that in the next few months.
5) Surfers. I saw many surfers out and about today. In wet suits of course. The water temperature is a very chilly 41 right now, but just seeing them out was a welcome sign.
6) People cruising with their windows down and their radios up. From rock to rap, it was good to see and hear everyone listening and enjoying!
7) People actually washing their cars in their own driveways! (including me) It was nice to do it myself the right way rather than pay a wash $10.00!
8) Washing my patio furniture and setting up the deck. Can't wait to eat outside!
9) BBQ'ing without having to wear a ski parka and having to run in and out every 3 minutes! It was nice BBQ'ing in a t-shirt and jeans last night out on the deck. All winter I froze out there for a piece of chicken!
10) Just feeling the warmth of the sun on my face while I was outside. I missed it so much!
SIX WEEKS until Memorial Weekend and the "unofficial" kickoff to summer!
Friday, April 08, 2005
Enough Political Correctness
They are even fucking with Cookie Monster now!
First PBS announced that "Sesame Street" would kick off its 35th season this week with a multiyear story arc about healthy habits. No problem there; childhood obesity rates are soaring. Then I learned of changes that turned my "Sesame Street" world upside-down.
My beloved blue, furry monster -- who sang "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me" -- is now advocating eating healthy. There's even a new song -- "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food," where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods.
Let the little blue bastard eat his cookies! What has the world come to where Cookie Monster has to eat carrots? It's up to parents to teach their kids about healthy foods, not a fucking puppet! What has the world come to?
"Sesame Street" also will introduce new characters, such as talking eggplants and carrots, and offer parodies, such as "American Fruit Stand." Even guest stars will address healthy activities. What kid wants to look at a fuckin' eggplant dancing around? The world is even more fucked up than I originally thought it was!
First PBS announced that "Sesame Street" would kick off its 35th season this week with a multiyear story arc about healthy habits. No problem there; childhood obesity rates are soaring. Then I learned of changes that turned my "Sesame Street" world upside-down.
My beloved blue, furry monster -- who sang "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me" -- is now advocating eating healthy. There's even a new song -- "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food," where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods.
Let the little blue bastard eat his cookies! What has the world come to where Cookie Monster has to eat carrots? It's up to parents to teach their kids about healthy foods, not a fucking puppet! What has the world come to?
"Sesame Street" also will introduce new characters, such as talking eggplants and carrots, and offer parodies, such as "American Fruit Stand." Even guest stars will address healthy activities. What kid wants to look at a fuckin' eggplant dancing around? The world is even more fucked up than I originally thought it was!
The "Inner" Battle, Good Guy vs. Bad Guy
Dear Inner “Good Guy”-
I think it’s time you and I had a little chat. You’ve been around way too much lately and you are causing me nothing but heartache. You make me do nothing but think of others and you make me put myself and my needs last. Your emotions cloud my common sense and logic. You have been attracting nothing but bad people who take advantage or are deceitful to me. I think it’s time you take a few months off. Summer is coming and perhaps some well needed rest is in order.
I hate to say this good guy, but you are out of fashion. You are about as in style as MC Hammer Pants and a Rubix Cube. People, especially women, don’t want you around. Oh sure, they claim they do and you fall for it each and every time. You believe the lines and the sentiment and you fall into their trap. Then time after time, you come calling all upset and hurt. I won’t listen to it any longer. Get your act together. Accept the fact that you will always be the consolation prize, the case of Turtle wax to Inner “Bad Guy.” Women will always pick him first, that’s why we need him back and I want you out.
At work, you do nothing but worry about other people, put in 100% effort, bring ideas to the table, and care. Where has it gotten us this year, huh? You are lame, nice guy. You are a dinosaur. Nobody really wants you around. You are not respected and you are mocked.
In everyday life, you are nice to strangers and care about what they need and think. Guess what? They don’t give a shit about you! All they want is what you can give and nothing else. When are you going to wake up and see things for what they really are.
Inner Nice Guy, “YOU’RE FIRED!!!”
Regards,
C-Mac
Dear Inner “Bad Guy”-
Where the fuck have you been? I’ve been trying to find you for months! Since we last spoke Mr. Good Guy over there has fucked things up really badly for us! I’ve called and called and you have not answered! I need you now more than ever!
Your little vacation has caused 2005 to start off very fucked up. Mr. Nice Guy let some people take advantage of me. Now I call on you to clean things up. There are many things I will need you to assist me with in the upcoming months. I just let Mr. Nice Guy know he was fired. When can you start Bad Guy? People are calling for you, especially the females for some reason. They’ve gotten tired of Mr. Nice Guy and want you back. We’ve always gotten the best girls together haven’t we? Pretty strange huh? You’d think Mr. Nice Guy would be more successful in that area, yet you seem to come through time after time. All he is good for is letting people in our door that hurt us and do damage. You seem to bring in the ones that love us no matter what.
At work, Mr. Nice guy has really fucked us. He has done nothing but try, let people walk all over us, he even accepted a bullshit raise in December, we are in a state of emergency over here. I need you to step in and shake things up. When you’ve represented me in the past, we’ve always climbed the ladder pretty quickly haven’t we?
In everyday life I know you won’t let people take advantage. You always had a way of making me put myself first. Those were the best days….the “Glory Days.” I know we have not spent that much time together over the years because Mr. Nice Guy always seems to run the show, but I look forward to a new beginning with you. I hope you show up again soon. I’ll be waiting.
Regards,
C-Mac
Thursday, April 07, 2005
The Things We Do For Love
Remember the song "The Things We Do for Love?" It was from the late 1970's and it talked about all the wacky things we find ourselves doing for someone because we love them. Things we would never do in a million years for anyone else. I was thinking back over the years about both silly and serious things I've done for people I've loved that I definitely would not have done if I wasn't in love with them:
I sat through a Kenny G/Michael Bolton concert in the rain at Jones Beach back in like 1990. The girl I was with loved Michael Bolton. I was sick for two weeks after that, but it was worth seeing her happy. Just for the record, I did leave the show with my heterosexuality in tact.
I also sat through a Wilson Phillips/Richard Marx concert for about 3.5 hours in the rain. I did not get sick that time, but it took me a year or so to recover from having to watch Carnie Wilson's fat ass parade around the stage.
I've sat through many a "chick flick" in the theater where I was only one of about three men in the entire theater. I always pretended to enjoy it because I did not want to ruin their time, but inside I was thinking of about 100 ways to kill myself during the movie. Everything from swallowing the plastic gummy bear wrapper to choke myself to suffocation by popcorn bag.
I've made many a run to CVS for tampons. That wasn't so bad after a while. The first few times were rough when I was like 19, but it builds character. The first few times I'd buy tons of candy and other stuff as not to just go to the counter with a box of Tampax. After a while, those shenanigans stop and you just head to the counter proudly carrying the bright pink box.
Then there is the all day shopping sprees at women's clothing stores where I was the bag carrier and the fashion consultant for the 140 outfits they managed to try on per hour. Those were my favorite days. But, I kept a smile on my face and made the experience fun while I was looking for the nearest fire exit. I always enjoyed carrying their purse as well as the bags and the clothes they've chosen to purchase, it just added that feminine touch I was lacking at the time.
Then there are the personality flaws, the craziness, and other things I won't get into. Love is about accepting everything that comes with that person....the amazing stuff as well as the stuff that breaks your heart. When you love someone truly you'll do anything, get your heart shattered a million times, deal with all kinds of drama, and of course the CVS tampon runs. I think people use the "love" term too loosely. I think people are in love with the idea of being in love. Love means different things to different people, naturally, but to me it's about putting them first, acceptance of who they are and where they've been, respect, sharing, learning and teaching, and sitting through a Richard Marx concert.
On the flip side, I know there have been many things done for me.....sitting through my games, dealing with my musical tastes, my occasional crankiness, etc. That's what love is all about though, getting joy out of seeing your special someone happy and enjoying themselves.....
I sat through a Kenny G/Michael Bolton concert in the rain at Jones Beach back in like 1990. The girl I was with loved Michael Bolton. I was sick for two weeks after that, but it was worth seeing her happy. Just for the record, I did leave the show with my heterosexuality in tact.
I also sat through a Wilson Phillips/Richard Marx concert for about 3.5 hours in the rain. I did not get sick that time, but it took me a year or so to recover from having to watch Carnie Wilson's fat ass parade around the stage.
I've sat through many a "chick flick" in the theater where I was only one of about three men in the entire theater. I always pretended to enjoy it because I did not want to ruin their time, but inside I was thinking of about 100 ways to kill myself during the movie. Everything from swallowing the plastic gummy bear wrapper to choke myself to suffocation by popcorn bag.
I've made many a run to CVS for tampons. That wasn't so bad after a while. The first few times were rough when I was like 19, but it builds character. The first few times I'd buy tons of candy and other stuff as not to just go to the counter with a box of Tampax. After a while, those shenanigans stop and you just head to the counter proudly carrying the bright pink box.
Then there is the all day shopping sprees at women's clothing stores where I was the bag carrier and the fashion consultant for the 140 outfits they managed to try on per hour. Those were my favorite days. But, I kept a smile on my face and made the experience fun while I was looking for the nearest fire exit. I always enjoyed carrying their purse as well as the bags and the clothes they've chosen to purchase, it just added that feminine touch I was lacking at the time.
Then there are the personality flaws, the craziness, and other things I won't get into. Love is about accepting everything that comes with that person....the amazing stuff as well as the stuff that breaks your heart. When you love someone truly you'll do anything, get your heart shattered a million times, deal with all kinds of drama, and of course the CVS tampon runs. I think people use the "love" term too loosely. I think people are in love with the idea of being in love. Love means different things to different people, naturally, but to me it's about putting them first, acceptance of who they are and where they've been, respect, sharing, learning and teaching, and sitting through a Richard Marx concert.
On the flip side, I know there have been many things done for me.....sitting through my games, dealing with my musical tastes, my occasional crankiness, etc. That's what love is all about though, getting joy out of seeing your special someone happy and enjoying themselves.....
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight
Remember this 1985 tune?
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody Wang Chung tonight
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody Wang Chung tonight
Everybody have fun.
What exactly is Wang Chung used as a verb? It wasn't bad enough that this band was called Wang Chung, but they had to make their name some kind of act and incorporate it in a song. Sounds like some kind of Asian Orgy. They should make a porn called "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight." People can bang away with that song crankin' in the background. I suppose it's better than the standard porn music. The act of Wang Chunging may be very innocent and I may be jumping to conclusions but it just sounds dirty. What are your thoughts on the act of Wang Chunging?
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody Wang Chung tonight
Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody Wang Chung tonight
Everybody have fun.
What exactly is Wang Chung used as a verb? It wasn't bad enough that this band was called Wang Chung, but they had to make their name some kind of act and incorporate it in a song. Sounds like some kind of Asian Orgy. They should make a porn called "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight." People can bang away with that song crankin' in the background. I suppose it's better than the standard porn music. The act of Wang Chunging may be very innocent and I may be jumping to conclusions but it just sounds dirty. What are your thoughts on the act of Wang Chunging?
Managing
Many companies place people in managers positions based solely on their knowledge of the company or industry. I think this a growing trend and it is a poor trend. To manage people, you have to have a special type of personality. You have to lead by example, motivate others, get involved, COMMUNICATE, have the ability to effectively train and develop the people under you, be able to listen, be able to understand people's different personalities and dynamics, etc. Unfortunately the trend I seem to see in the business world is manager by default. We take someone and put them in a position of authority just because they have worked there long, they have job knowledge, or they kiss ass. I am all for people growing within an organization, but I feel in order to manage people effectively and truly be a leader, you have to have to be born with those skills or really have people influence you and develop you which takes years to do. I see so many managers out there who just worry about how they look and what they do. Managers for the most part, are not held accountable anymore for the training and development of their employees. Somehow, it's solely the employees responsibility to learn and grow, since when? Isn't that the DEFINITION of a manager? Someone who leads and MANAGES people? When I managed, I was not only rated on my performance, but on the performance and growth of my people. My people were a reflection of me. It was my responsibility to weed out or work with the bad seeds, to develop and bring out the best in everyone, and to have everyone working together to reach a common goal where everyone was treated equally for their efforts. The things I see today scare me. People get in these positions of authority who don't possess an ounce of interpersonal skills. They don't lead. Certain skills and personality traits can't be taught, you have to be born with them and some just are not cut out for a leadership position, yet companies don't take these things into account, they just promote the person who's been there longest or "knows the most."
In professional sports we've seen it so many times. Great players who retire and become coaches or managers and they suck! Just because they are good at their craft and possess knowledge, does not mean they can lead and motivate people! Some can, some can't...it's not automatic and should not be assumed. I feel personality should be taken into account more than job knowledge many times when choosing a manager. Job knowledge can be taught, personality and an innate ability to lead is something you are born with.
In professional sports we've seen it so many times. Great players who retire and become coaches or managers and they suck! Just because they are good at their craft and possess knowledge, does not mean they can lead and motivate people! Some can, some can't...it's not automatic and should not be assumed. I feel personality should be taken into account more than job knowledge many times when choosing a manager. Job knowledge can be taught, personality and an innate ability to lead is something you are born with.
Go Fly A Kite
Before our "meeting" yesterday the Sugar V and I (among others) got to talking about some silly and random things. I brought up the fact that I have never flown a kite. I don't feel neglected or that I have not lived my life to the fullest because of this, it's just something I never gave a thought to doing. So, you run to get it up in the air, then what? You just hold it and watch it fly? I don't see the amusement in that at all. I am amused easily, but that just does not do it for me. Standing in a park or on a beach holding a string with some wacky thing on the end fluttering in the sky is not something I long to do. That's probably why the expression "go fly a kite" was said to kids in a sarcastic way....because it's boring and not very fun.
I have had a yo-yo and I think those are pointless too. I always fucked up the string and got it knotted and never wanted to play with it anymore. You just stand there watching it go up and down. I know some people can do these wacky tricks like "walk the dog" and shit like that. I'd probably end up busting something in the house. Rumor has it that the yo-yo was actually an ancient weapon in the Philippines. Can you imagine robbing the local convenience store with a yo-yo. "I've got a Duncan Butterfly under my coat, don't make me go 'around the world' and fuck this place up, hand over the cash beoch!" Or maybe a serial yo-yo killer. A guy who randomly whacks people with a yo-yo while they are walking alone in an alley. What a way to go.
The pogo stick was not a very efficient mode of transportation was it? You just bounce your way over to your friend's house. Ever see a fat kid on a pogo stick? I haven't. I never owned a pogo stick, but I've tried one or two. Not too bad. if gas prices continue to soar, that may be a viable option. I can see myself on the Southern State Parkway hopping my way to work. I wonder how long it would take and how fast you can go. They should have "X-Treme" Pogo Sticking events on ESPN. I wonder how many tricks and fucked up things you can manage with a pogo stick.....
I have had a yo-yo and I think those are pointless too. I always fucked up the string and got it knotted and never wanted to play with it anymore. You just stand there watching it go up and down. I know some people can do these wacky tricks like "walk the dog" and shit like that. I'd probably end up busting something in the house. Rumor has it that the yo-yo was actually an ancient weapon in the Philippines. Can you imagine robbing the local convenience store with a yo-yo. "I've got a Duncan Butterfly under my coat, don't make me go 'around the world' and fuck this place up, hand over the cash beoch!" Or maybe a serial yo-yo killer. A guy who randomly whacks people with a yo-yo while they are walking alone in an alley. What a way to go.
The pogo stick was not a very efficient mode of transportation was it? You just bounce your way over to your friend's house. Ever see a fat kid on a pogo stick? I haven't. I never owned a pogo stick, but I've tried one or two. Not too bad. if gas prices continue to soar, that may be a viable option. I can see myself on the Southern State Parkway hopping my way to work. I wonder how long it would take and how fast you can go. They should have "X-Treme" Pogo Sticking events on ESPN. I wonder how many tricks and fucked up things you can manage with a pogo stick.....
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Running Scared
I really think people, for the most part, have lost their balls. People just aren't candid about things and they beat around the bush regarding what they think or feel. People complain to the wrong people rather than having the balls to address the issue with the person they have the problem with. Of course, you have to say and do things with tact and respect, but being up front about your feelings is paramount in my opinion. Let me give you some examples:
I hear people complain about their husband or wife all the time. Rather than bitch and moan about them, talk to them and resolve the issue with them rather than talking shit to others about it. If the problem can't be resolved after confronting it with them you have two choices, deal with it, or leave. It's quite simple.
People complain about others at work, especially their bosses. If someone annoys you or does something wrong to you, confront them or take the proper avenues to resolve it, don't bitch and moan and do nothing about it.
Then you have the people who complain about their childhood, their life, their past, etc. I say make changes and fix it or shut the fuck up. If you are seeking help, then listen to what the help is saying. Bottom line is, you can't be helped if you are unwilling to help yourself. Have the balls to face things and rid yourself of them if that's what you really want. If you'd rather be miserable, then do so. Just leave others out of your misery and don't drag them into it.
Then people complain about their man/woman not satisfying them sexually. Tell the person what it is you want so they can accommodate you. Not saying anything or bitching to others won't help you. Be open about it.
Then you have the people who, while eating a Big Mac and fries, complain about their weight. I say get off your lazy ass and confront your issue. Join a gym, start running, diet, do something. You are not burning that many calories by bitching and moaning about it.
The bottom line is, unless you have the balls to make changes or discuss issues with people related to the problem, the problem won't be solved. I am not saying to be petty about every little thing, but if something is really bothering you, have the courage to change it or make your feelings known.
I hear people complain about their husband or wife all the time. Rather than bitch and moan about them, talk to them and resolve the issue with them rather than talking shit to others about it. If the problem can't be resolved after confronting it with them you have two choices, deal with it, or leave. It's quite simple.
People complain about others at work, especially their bosses. If someone annoys you or does something wrong to you, confront them or take the proper avenues to resolve it, don't bitch and moan and do nothing about it.
Then you have the people who complain about their childhood, their life, their past, etc. I say make changes and fix it or shut the fuck up. If you are seeking help, then listen to what the help is saying. Bottom line is, you can't be helped if you are unwilling to help yourself. Have the balls to face things and rid yourself of them if that's what you really want. If you'd rather be miserable, then do so. Just leave others out of your misery and don't drag them into it.
Then people complain about their man/woman not satisfying them sexually. Tell the person what it is you want so they can accommodate you. Not saying anything or bitching to others won't help you. Be open about it.
Then you have the people who, while eating a Big Mac and fries, complain about their weight. I say get off your lazy ass and confront your issue. Join a gym, start running, diet, do something. You are not burning that many calories by bitching and moaning about it.
The bottom line is, unless you have the balls to make changes or discuss issues with people related to the problem, the problem won't be solved. I am not saying to be petty about every little thing, but if something is really bothering you, have the courage to change it or make your feelings known.
"The Meeting"
If there's anything I really hate at work, it's "The Meeting." I find that meetings are such a waste of time. The time that goes into organizing them, waiting for everyone to stagger in, getting started, long, drawn out chatter, and the wrap up is just too much. The biggest problem I have with meetings is that people take the smallest, most trivial topic and it turns into an hour of debate and conversation. I also find that people go back to doing the same old shit no matter what is discussed in a meeting. Everyone is all pumped up in a meeting about changing something or doing something different, then when they get back to their desks all is forgotten and it's business as usual. In the age of technology, I say limit meetings whenever possible! When you HAVE to conduct a meeting, tape the mouths of the stupid, the petty, and the whiney. There's always the "funny guy" in every meeting too. The guy who has to make a comment about everything the speaker says. Three quarters of the time the comment is not funny and he is the only one who laughs. I hate meetings, but unfortunately I am off to one now...........
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
My Opinion "Straight Up"
I enjoy American Idol very much. I like the fact that a virtual "nobody" makes it big. I enjoy the competition, the emotion, and the human side of the show. What annoys me most about the show is Paula Abdul. Granted, she sold millions of records back in the very late 1980's and early 1990's, but she was no Madonna. Paula is best known for her dancing and her choreography, not for her singing. Yet, she acts like a big know-it-all. She never has anything really constructive to say to help the contestants. She basically just pacifies the contestants and does not really critique them constructively. Even her clap annoys me. She uses her arms to clap, not her hands. It's quite annoying to watch. Her outfits are downright hideous and she has more makeup applied than Tammy Fae Baker. I think Paula is the only judge on there who could leave the show and it would not make an impact at all. She would be easily replaced by a real "singer." Her songs weren't all that great. "Straight Up"- "Forever Your Girl"-"Cold Hearted Snake"-"The Way That You Love Me"-"Opposites Attract"-"Knocked Out" etc. They were okay, but nothing to rave about. She sold a ton of albums, but so did Vanilla Ice...enough said. The executive producer should steal a lyric from Paula and say " A b-b-b-bye, b-b-b-bye" to her! Let's get a judge on there who can really "judge" singing. If they ever come up with an "American Dancer" show, hire Paula...she knows nothing about singing!
April 5th, C-Mac's Perspective
My daily posts here on “Bored At The Beach” are usually comical, observational, or downright silly. Today, April 5th is a significant date in my life and I’d like to share some memories and talk about the most influential person in my life who I lost on this day in 1987. When I was younger, I would hear people talking about how they lost someone close and they thought about them every day. I did not believe that you could think about someone EVERY day long after they passed. The truth is, it’s been 18 years and I have never gone a full day without having a thought or memory of him and how much he meant to me.
My Grandfather on my Mom’s side of the family was the person that most influenced my life. I am named after him (first and middle name) and we shared a special bond from the time I was born. I was fortunate enough to enjoy almost 16 wonderful years with him before he got cancer and passed away in 1987.
He was a painter and worked right up until the age of 76 (the year he passed away). He painted homes, businesses, and just about everything else. He was a master of his craft and taught me how valuable a good work ethic was and how important it was to educate myself. Although he loved his work, he’d always say, “Get an education, work with your mind, not with your hands.” He wanted to see me better myself through education. Either that or I really sucked at painting when I’d help him on jobs and he did not have the heart to tell me. Being Italian, he was from a long line of laborers and wanted his grandson to go to school and have an easier life than he had. I learned so much about having a good work ethic, about interacting with others, about being the best at what you do, and about being compassionate towards others just by going on those jobs with him. But, seeing him work was only part of it.
My Dad is and always was a quiet guy. My Dad did not get too involved in the day to day raising of my brother, my sister, and I. He worked a lot and pretty much let my Mom handle it all. My Grandfather was sort of like my 2nd Father. He’s the one that took me for my first baseball glove, went to my little league games, and spent the “male bonding” time with me growing up. We were always together, Every Saturday my parents would drop us off at my grandparent’s house early in the morning. They would head off to work and we’d spend the day there. After breakfast my brother and sister would always end up hanging out with my grandmother and I’d end up with my grandfather. We’d work outside, go to the stores, and just enjoy the entire day together. Those were some of the best memories and times in my life, those childhood Saturdays. He’d tell stories all day about his childhood, his family growing up, and all kinds of other stories. He’d repeat the same stories over and over, but I didn’t mind. I loved hearing them again.
Most of all, my grandfather was the glue that held the family together. He made sure everyone was there to celebrate the holidays (especially Christmas) the old Italian way. He had a way of bringing people together and he was a natural leader. After he passed there were so many people in the extended family that went their own way and nothing was ever the same.
Many of my values and my “life lessons” were taught to me by him. I hold these dear to my heart after all these years and they made me the person I am today. I learned to love people unconditionally. He taught me to accept people for their shortcomings and do whatever you can for the people you love. Although loving someone no matter what really hurts sometimes and the end result is not always what you want, I would not change that lesson for anything. I learned about being compassionate and respectful towards people, no matter their place in life. I learned that a person’s success is measured by the way they treat others not by their job or by their bank account. I learned how to earn people’s trust and respect through caring, listening, and understanding. He not only spoke of these things, he lived them and taught them by example.
In late 1986 my grandfather injured his foot while on a painting job. He went to the hospital to have it attended to and they ran all kinds of test on him. While there, they discovered and inoperable cancerous tumor in his colon that had spread. My mom and the older relatives knew what this meant. I, being 15, figured he was strong and tough and that he’d beat this with no problem. He deteriorated through the beginning of 1987 and even then I knew I was losing him. I remember the last time I saw him, it was on a Friday evening, April 3, 1987. He said goodbye to me in a very subtle way, as not to upset me. He passed away in the early Sunday morning hours of April 5th, 1987. My mom and her sister were there with him. Through the last two weeks of his life every time I’d go to see him, the same song would always come on the radio. It was a very popular song that Spring of ’87. The song was “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House. It just always seemed to be on the radio and the words were kind of fitting. Years later I told my mom about how much that song reminded me of him and my mom freaked out and said it was on the radio in his room when he passed. Eighteen years later, the song still means so much to me.
I know so many people who never got an opportunity to know their grandparents. I was blessed. I am thankful I had the years I had with him. My childhood truly would not have been a happy one without him and his influence. He earned a respect that I’ve never felt for anyone else again. He led by deeds, not just words. If I can earn even half the respect he earned from me and from the people he came in contact with, someday from my children, I’ll be way ahead of the game. I still carry with me those life lessons and try my best everyday to make him proud.
For a long time I thought you had to be a famous musician, athlete, actor, or politician to leave your mark on so many around you. The truth is, you just have to be genuine and compassionate. Most of all, you have to lead by example and let your actions speak louder than your words. Most of the time, you have to put others first and sometimes sacrifice a bit of yourself to love someone unconditionally. No Yankee player or songwriter could ever teach me the real life lessons I learned from him. Eighteen years later, my respect and gratitude for him continue to grow. I hope he’s looking down and smiling, knowing I haven’t forgotten what he taught. Even when I was being a kid and you maybe thought I was not listening, I was, and I’m trying to pass on everything you taught me to the people in my life.
So today, this April 5th I thank him for all he did, for the sacrifices he made, and want to let him know that after all these years and for years to come, he’ll never be forgotten. I am doing my best to pass along what you taught me.
My Grandfather on my Mom’s side of the family was the person that most influenced my life. I am named after him (first and middle name) and we shared a special bond from the time I was born. I was fortunate enough to enjoy almost 16 wonderful years with him before he got cancer and passed away in 1987.
He was a painter and worked right up until the age of 76 (the year he passed away). He painted homes, businesses, and just about everything else. He was a master of his craft and taught me how valuable a good work ethic was and how important it was to educate myself. Although he loved his work, he’d always say, “Get an education, work with your mind, not with your hands.” He wanted to see me better myself through education. Either that or I really sucked at painting when I’d help him on jobs and he did not have the heart to tell me. Being Italian, he was from a long line of laborers and wanted his grandson to go to school and have an easier life than he had. I learned so much about having a good work ethic, about interacting with others, about being the best at what you do, and about being compassionate towards others just by going on those jobs with him. But, seeing him work was only part of it.
My Dad is and always was a quiet guy. My Dad did not get too involved in the day to day raising of my brother, my sister, and I. He worked a lot and pretty much let my Mom handle it all. My Grandfather was sort of like my 2nd Father. He’s the one that took me for my first baseball glove, went to my little league games, and spent the “male bonding” time with me growing up. We were always together, Every Saturday my parents would drop us off at my grandparent’s house early in the morning. They would head off to work and we’d spend the day there. After breakfast my brother and sister would always end up hanging out with my grandmother and I’d end up with my grandfather. We’d work outside, go to the stores, and just enjoy the entire day together. Those were some of the best memories and times in my life, those childhood Saturdays. He’d tell stories all day about his childhood, his family growing up, and all kinds of other stories. He’d repeat the same stories over and over, but I didn’t mind. I loved hearing them again.
Most of all, my grandfather was the glue that held the family together. He made sure everyone was there to celebrate the holidays (especially Christmas) the old Italian way. He had a way of bringing people together and he was a natural leader. After he passed there were so many people in the extended family that went their own way and nothing was ever the same.
Many of my values and my “life lessons” were taught to me by him. I hold these dear to my heart after all these years and they made me the person I am today. I learned to love people unconditionally. He taught me to accept people for their shortcomings and do whatever you can for the people you love. Although loving someone no matter what really hurts sometimes and the end result is not always what you want, I would not change that lesson for anything. I learned about being compassionate and respectful towards people, no matter their place in life. I learned that a person’s success is measured by the way they treat others not by their job or by their bank account. I learned how to earn people’s trust and respect through caring, listening, and understanding. He not only spoke of these things, he lived them and taught them by example.
In late 1986 my grandfather injured his foot while on a painting job. He went to the hospital to have it attended to and they ran all kinds of test on him. While there, they discovered and inoperable cancerous tumor in his colon that had spread. My mom and the older relatives knew what this meant. I, being 15, figured he was strong and tough and that he’d beat this with no problem. He deteriorated through the beginning of 1987 and even then I knew I was losing him. I remember the last time I saw him, it was on a Friday evening, April 3, 1987. He said goodbye to me in a very subtle way, as not to upset me. He passed away in the early Sunday morning hours of April 5th, 1987. My mom and her sister were there with him. Through the last two weeks of his life every time I’d go to see him, the same song would always come on the radio. It was a very popular song that Spring of ’87. The song was “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House. It just always seemed to be on the radio and the words were kind of fitting. Years later I told my mom about how much that song reminded me of him and my mom freaked out and said it was on the radio in his room when he passed. Eighteen years later, the song still means so much to me.
I know so many people who never got an opportunity to know their grandparents. I was blessed. I am thankful I had the years I had with him. My childhood truly would not have been a happy one without him and his influence. He earned a respect that I’ve never felt for anyone else again. He led by deeds, not just words. If I can earn even half the respect he earned from me and from the people he came in contact with, someday from my children, I’ll be way ahead of the game. I still carry with me those life lessons and try my best everyday to make him proud.
For a long time I thought you had to be a famous musician, athlete, actor, or politician to leave your mark on so many around you. The truth is, you just have to be genuine and compassionate. Most of all, you have to lead by example and let your actions speak louder than your words. Most of the time, you have to put others first and sometimes sacrifice a bit of yourself to love someone unconditionally. No Yankee player or songwriter could ever teach me the real life lessons I learned from him. Eighteen years later, my respect and gratitude for him continue to grow. I hope he’s looking down and smiling, knowing I haven’t forgotten what he taught. Even when I was being a kid and you maybe thought I was not listening, I was, and I’m trying to pass on everything you taught me to the people in my life.
So today, this April 5th I thank him for all he did, for the sacrifices he made, and want to let him know that after all these years and for years to come, he’ll never be forgotten. I am doing my best to pass along what you taught me.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Bathroom Stall Dialogue
I was barely in the stall to pee for 5 seconds when I heard a voice from the other stall saying: "Hi, how are you?" I'm not the type to start a conversation in the men's restroom but I don't know what got into me, so I answered, somewhat embarrassed, "Doin' just fine!" And the other guy says: "So what are you up to?" What kind of question is that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say: "Uhhh, Not too much!" At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question. "Can I come over?" Ok, this question is just too weird for me but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell him, "No........I'm a little busy right now!!!" Then I hear the guy say nervously... "Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering all my questions!!!"
Baby Grand
I heard a song today that really sparked a great deal of thought. I’ve heard the song hundreds of times and the lyrics always seem to evoke thought. The song is “Baby Grand” by Billy Joel/Ray Charles. In the song, the two pianists reflect upon their lives and realize that the one constant that they could always rely on in life, especially in times of trouble, fear, loss, sadness, and loneliness are their “Baby Grands.” (piano) Here is an excerpt from the song:
LATE AT NIGHT
WHEN IT’S DARK AND COLD
I REACH OUT
FOR SOMEONE TO HOLD
WHEN I’M BLUE
WHEN I’M LONELY
SHE COMES THROUGH
SHE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN
MY BABY GRAND
IS ALL I NEED
IN MY TIME
I’VE WANDERED EVERYWHERE
AROUND THIS WORLD
SHE WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE
ANY DAY
ANY HOUR
ALL IT TAKES
IS THE POWER IN MY HANDS
THIS BABY GRAND’S
BEEN GOOD TO ME
The lyrics got me thinking, what is my “Baby Grand?” What has been a constant in my life that I could always rely on to make me feel better when the chips were down, yet be there when things were going well? Without a doubt it’s my music. Over the years friends and family have been astonished by the amount of music I own. My collection includes all genres of music and I have music for all moods and feelings. Whenever I’ve been down, depressed, experienced loss, or was sad, I found comfort in my music. I love writing, but there are times I am feeling something but can’t express it on paper. The beauty of music for me is simply finding a song or an album that expresses a current emotion and allowing the song to tell the world how I feel without having to utter a word or grab a pen. I’ve been surrounded by music of all kinds since before I could talk. Music has been there through the highest and lowest points of my life and I could always reach out to it without hesitation.
I’VE HAD FRIENDS
BUT THEY SLIPPED AWAY
I’VE HAD FAME
BUT IT DOESN’T STAY
I’VE MADE FORTUNES
SPENT THEM FAST ENOUGH
AS FOR WOMEN
THEY DON’T LAST WITH JUST ONE MAN
BUT BABY GRAND
WILL STAND BY ME
It’s so very true that friends come and go, as do relationships. Money and fame can be won and lost, but we all need something that is as certain as an Eastern sunrise and a Western sunset. For me, it’s music. It’s been with me from the beginning and will be with me until the end. People have let me down, music never has. What’s your “Baby Grand?”
LATE AT NIGHT
WHEN IT’S DARK AND COLD
I REACH OUT
FOR SOMEONE TO HOLD
WHEN I’M BLUE
WHEN I’M LONELY
SHE COMES THROUGH
SHE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN
MY BABY GRAND
IS ALL I NEED
IN MY TIME
I’VE WANDERED EVERYWHERE
AROUND THIS WORLD
SHE WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE
ANY DAY
ANY HOUR
ALL IT TAKES
IS THE POWER IN MY HANDS
THIS BABY GRAND’S
BEEN GOOD TO ME
The lyrics got me thinking, what is my “Baby Grand?” What has been a constant in my life that I could always rely on to make me feel better when the chips were down, yet be there when things were going well? Without a doubt it’s my music. Over the years friends and family have been astonished by the amount of music I own. My collection includes all genres of music and I have music for all moods and feelings. Whenever I’ve been down, depressed, experienced loss, or was sad, I found comfort in my music. I love writing, but there are times I am feeling something but can’t express it on paper. The beauty of music for me is simply finding a song or an album that expresses a current emotion and allowing the song to tell the world how I feel without having to utter a word or grab a pen. I’ve been surrounded by music of all kinds since before I could talk. Music has been there through the highest and lowest points of my life and I could always reach out to it without hesitation.
I’VE HAD FRIENDS
BUT THEY SLIPPED AWAY
I’VE HAD FAME
BUT IT DOESN’T STAY
I’VE MADE FORTUNES
SPENT THEM FAST ENOUGH
AS FOR WOMEN
THEY DON’T LAST WITH JUST ONE MAN
BUT BABY GRAND
WILL STAND BY ME
It’s so very true that friends come and go, as do relationships. Money and fame can be won and lost, but we all need something that is as certain as an Eastern sunrise and a Western sunset. For me, it’s music. It’s been with me from the beginning and will be with me until the end. People have let me down, music never has. What’s your “Baby Grand?”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)